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CHAUCER'S
TROYLUS AND CRYSEYDE
(FROM THE HARL. MS. 3943)
COMPARED WITH
^BOCCACCIO'S FILOSTRATO
TRANSLATED BY
TOm. JHicjjael tesettl
(Thoso lines of the Filostrato that Chaucer translated or adapted are englisht here : those
which Chaucer did not use — more than half — are only summarized.)
•^
"" LONDON :
PUBLISHED FOR THE CHAUCER SOCIETY BY
N. TRITBNER & CO., 57 & 59, LUDGATE HILL.
MDCCCLXXIII.
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PREFATORY REMARKS.
For the first time, readers of Chaucer are now enabled
to judge of the precise relation borne by the Traylus and
Cryseyde of that supreme poet to the Fihstrato of Boccaccio
— ^which has long been known to be, to a large extent, its
original. I have furnished an exact translation of all the
lines of the Filostrato adapted, with more or less verbal
closeness, by Chaucer ; also a summary of those portions
of the Italian poem which were not so adapted. The
passages of the Troylua which are wholly the work of the
Englishman, being unaccompanied by any rendering from
the Italian, speak for themselves. It will be perceived
that Chaucer is, in many instances, a very accurate
translator ; in others, he has paraphrased without strictly
translating. The details of diversity are full of interest to
the minute student.
The Fllogtraio is written in the octave metre termed
by the Italians " oUava rima " (the measure of Byron's Don
Juan), Boccaccio is understood to have invented this
excellent narrative metre, in which Ariosto, Tasso, and so
many other leading poets of his own nation, followed him :
by Boccaccio himself the ottava rima had first been used
in the Teseide, prior to the date of the Filostrato. The
TroyloB and Cryseyde (I need not say) is written in stanzas
of seven lines each — an exquisitely melodious and satisfy-
ing metrical form, too seldom employed : the natural result
is that, when Chaucer takes successive lines from Boccaccio,
he mostly gets the matter into a rather smaller space.
The Filostrato contains 5704 lines: the TroyJus is
much longer, 8246 lines.^ The difference, 2542 lines,
must of course be counted entirely to the credit of Chaucer.
Out of the 5704 lines of Boccaccio, about 2730 have been
utilized by Chaucer, leaving 2974 not so utilized. The
English poet, less diffuse, has compressed the 2730 lines
of the Italian into 2583 : hence we obtain the following
result :
Total of lines in the Troylua 8246
Adapted from the FiloatratOy
2730 lines, condensed into 2583
Balance due to Chaucer alone 5663
This balance is considerably more than double the number
of lines as condensed from Boccaccio. . It may, therefore,
in general terms, be said that sometliing less than a third
of the Troylus is taken direct from the Filostrato, while
more than two-thirds are Chaucer's own. Of course, how-
ever, even in these two-thirds Chaucer's poem often follows
the same general current as Boccaccio's ; and some moderate
deduction should be made for lines for which the English-
man is indebted to other authors — ^Boethius, Dante, and
Petrarca, in especiaL
The most important point of absolute difference between ^
the Italian and the English poets — the most important both
* Profeasor Morley has said that the Fdogtrato contains 6352
lines, and the Troylvt 289& lines additional : this would be a total
of 8251. I do not understand these figures; at any rate, they are
not correct.
IV
PREFATORY REMARKS.
in siiliject-iiiatter and in scale of treatment — is in the inci-
dents which lead up to the actual amour between Troilus
and Chrj'seis. Boccaccio gives the whole afliiir simply
enough : an assignation made by Chryseis after much
urging, and kept by Troilus, and turned to account by
both. Chaucer has invented an entirely new series of
preliminaries ; far more elaborate, and such as almost to
leave his Cryseyde in the position of a modest and chaste-
minded woman, even after the amour is in full career. At
the decisive moment, she has scarcely consented to her own
frailty, but has been lured into it. The reader is left to
contemplate Cryseyde as losing — Griseida^ as amorous:
though I think some English critics have been too much
inclined to ignore the many fine and beautiful qualities
which Boccaccio attributes to his heroine, in all the earlier
stage of her story, and to treat her as, from the first, by
character a courtesan, to whom nothing but an opportunity
is wanting. This is, I conceive, not the fact. Boccaccio
gives us fully to understand that his Griseida is a noble and
decorous lady, who has passed through maiden, married,
and widowed life, with a reputation totiilly and deservedly
spotless : she stands a vigorous siege from Troilus, aided
by the incessant importunities of her cousin Pandarus.
True, from the first she shows symptoms of being not im-
pregnable : she listens, vacillates, deliberates, shrinks, and
deliberates again. After a certain interval she makes up
her mind to yield, being herself in love with her suitor ;
and after a further interval she does yield — no doubt ad-
visedly and unregretfully, and not, as the Cryseyde of
Chaucer, tlirough a surprise — ^yet not with any such inde-
cent haste, or any such sensual callousness and want of
pei'sonal afiection for her lover, as to enable us to consider
the two women as showing a native and fundamental
difierence of character or temperament In short, the
action of Griseida is more amorous than that of Cryseyde,
' Such is the form of the name ia Boccaccio's poem.
but her nature is almost equally loving: the action of
Cryseyde is more loving than that of Griseida, but her
nature is almost equally amorous. The English poet
neither schemes nor aifccts (if I do not misapprehend) to *
invent an essentially different character : but he leads up -
to the crisis by a more artful and more sympathetic course
of incident. Besides, we must remember that the career
of Chryseis does not stop short at her amour with
Troilus : that is succeeded by another and much less con-
donable amour with Diomed — and, when we come to this,
I think there is, in Boccaccio's entire development of the
story, a certain simultaneous march and satisfaction to the
reader's mind, not wholly in equal measure present in
Chaucer's. We may, at any rate, say thus much : — ^That the
more the reader is disposed to accept Cryseyde as a very
superior woman to Griseida, the less must he be inclined to
acquiesce in the later stage of Cliaucer's poem as an sesthetic
and emotional response and congruity ; while, the nearer
the character of Boccaccio's Griseida is kept to an equal
level from first to last, the less is the jar upon the reader's
sympathy at the close. If, however, we consider Griseida
and Cryseyde to be not very diverse in real character, the
intrigue with Diomed stands on much the same footing in i
both poems ; and, in the English work, it only corrects,
with some disappointment to his sensibilities, the reader's
delight in the lovely and loveable vision which the earlier
portion of that poem had seemingly presented to him.
The next point of marked divergence between the
Filosirato and the Troylns is in the important personage,
Pandarus. In the former narrative, he is a gallant, high- '
spirited, scheming young knight, the cousin of Chryseis.
He is a devoted friend to Troilus; places no particular
value, for himself or for.othera, on the virtue of continence ;
and, with sufficient off-handedness and candour, sets about
badgering and wheedling Chryseis into consenting to the
prince's passion. His youth, the undisguised laxity of his
/
PREFATORY REMARKS.
morals, and the genuine depth of his friendsliip for Troilus^
make him the most amiable and least condemnable of
pimps. His whole philosophy might bo summed up in
Shakspeare's distich —
" If the cat will after kind,
So, be sure, will Rosalind."
He 13 perfectly self-consistent and natural throughout
the poem, without being much of a "character" in the
• more special sense. To turn him into a character has
• been, in one word, the great achievement of Chaucer; and
never was a creative act of the like kind managed with
more splendid ease and instantaneous power. As in the
case of Chryseis, the main attributes of this personage are
the same as in Boccaccio's poem — especially the redeeming
• quality of an unselfish and unmeasured love of Troilus,
which indeed becomes all the more touching under Chau-
cer's treatment, by dint of the one simple expedient that
he has adopted, of increasing the age of Pandarus. That
is, in fact, the essence and the secret of almost all that
Chaucer has done for the character. He makes Pandarus
the uncle, instead of the cousin, of Cryseyde. Pandarus
is still, as we have just noted in the Filostraio, gallant,
high-spirited, scheming, a devoted friend, a loose moralist ;
but all these qualities have to take a different complexion
from the change of age and of rektionship. The brilliant
young man of fashion (as we might term Boccaccio's
Pandarus) becomes a battered middle-aged man of the
\ world ; his buoyancy and rapidity of character take-on a
- ceiiain aspect of fatal facility ; his scheming approaches
nearer to treachery — both because he more cunningly
undermines the honour of Cryseyde, and because his posi-
tion as her uncle places him almost in the position of her
" guide and philosopher " as well as " friend " ; his loose
morals, natural to a young man whose passions master
Idm in his o-wn as well as in his friend's cause, become a
distinct blunting of the moral sense — a contented adoption
of the ignoble as a rule to live and die by. Above all, his
experience of life, and his callous honJiomiey have given
him a great fund of conversation ; and he is never at a
loss for an argument, an illustration, a proverb, a quota-
tion, or a jest. This gift of copious and cynical speech is
treated by Chaucer with ininiita})lc art, because inimitable
nature, and in such wise as to make his Pandarus one of
the most complete pieces of character-painting in our liteiti-
ture. "With all his defects, still the 6oft-heartedne«»s of
Chaucer's Pandarus, and his utter devotion to Troilus —
he is ready at any moment to be drowned in tears in the
cause of his niece or his friend — place him distinctly above
mere contempt : they make him a pathetic and almost a re-
spectable figure in fiction, no less than a deeply humorous
one.
/
The origin of the story of which Boccaccio has made a
masterpiece, and Chaucer (not to speak of Shakspeare after
him) a greater masterpiece still, is even yet somewhat
obscure. It has been traced up to Benoit de Sainte-More,
a cleric, probably Norman by birth, who composed, towards
1184, a poem named the Roman tie Troie} He professed
to take his story from a Latin translation after Dares,
attributed traditionally to Cornelius jSTepos ; but tliis pro-
fession has no sufficient foundation, so far as the episode
of Troilus and Chryseis is concerned. Guido dalle Colonne,
a Sicilian physician, wrote in 1287 his Historia Trojana,
appropriating details from Benoit de Sainte-More with a
liberal hand. Next after him comes Boccaccio, who for the
first time invents Pandarus as a personage in the action.
' Tliere are some valuable details regarding this matter in the
Introduction of Mm. L. Moland and C. d*HericauU to a volume of
the Kavvelles Francoises en Prose du XIV* Siecle — Paris, Jaunet,
1858. M. Joly has lately (1871) completed in two sections his
edition of Benoit de Sainlt-More et le Homan de Troie^ ou let
MdtamorpJioses d* Horn ere et de V Epopee grico-laiine an Moyen^
age. This contains the text of the Jioman de Troie, with many,
dissertations. It is a monument of industry, and a mine of eru-
dition : the Chaucerian student may be deeply grateful to M. Joly
— and many other literary investigators will be no less hia debtors.
Yl
PREFATORY REMARKS.
It may be expedient to say here a little — a very little
— about the successive deyelopment of the incidents of
the story, up to Boccaccio's treatment of it: his and
Chaucer's can be studied at length in the ensuing pages.
Dares simply mentions Briseis (or Bnseida) among other
denizens of the Grecian camp whose persons he describes.
Of her he speaks as folloivs : ** Briseidam formosani, alia
statudL, candidam, capillo flavo et molli, superciliis junctis,
oculis venustiB, corpore sequali, blandam, affabilem, vcre-
cundam, animo simplici, piam." In Benoit de Sainte-
More's poem, the course of the episode runs thus.
Calchas, having deserted from Troy to the Greeks by
order of the gods, and having left behind him his
daughter Briseida (termed '*la pucele" in verse 12977,
and therefore, it must be presumed, not a widow, ns in
Boccaccio and Chaucer), takes advantage of an exchange
of prisoners, after the capture of Antenor by the Gi*eeka,
to reclaim her. The loves of Troilus and Briseida are not
described at length, nor the various vicissitudes of them
notified : but, now that the lady is to leave Troy, Benoit
informs us tliat she and Troilus are deeply enamoured.
Diomed, among otl er Grecian warriors, receives Briseida
from the Trojans, and forthwith begins making love to
her; and she from tlie first seems anything but ill-dis-
posed towards him. Soon afterwards, in an engagement,
he overthrows Troilus, and sends his charger to Briseida.
Diomed gives himself up more and more desperately to
his passion ; the lady holds off for a while, but finally
acknowledges him as her knight, and Troilus has little or
nothing more to hope for. Another battle, advantageous
to the Trojans, is fought : Troilus wounds Diomed well-
nigh to death, and revUes him and Briseida in terms
which seem to show that the anguish of betrayed love
has, in the Troilus of Benoit de Saintc-More, given way to
its. indignation. Briseida, on the other hand, is made
amiable in her very fickleness, which many readers may
be minded to condone. The mortal danger of Diomed is
Avhat breaks down the last barriers to her heart, and she
can now no longer make any secret of her love, but re-
solves to be wholly his. Her monologue to this effect
ends at verse 20330 ; and, though the poem goes on to the
formidable number of 30108 lines, we hear henceforth no
more of her, nor of Diomed as related to her, nor (save in
one instance soon afterwards) of Troilus in the character
of her deserted and incensed lover. It will thus be per-
ceived that, in the Briseis narrative of Benoit, the more
substantial subject-matter is the Briseida-Diomed amour,
to which the Briseida-Troilus amour forms rather the
proem ; whereas, in the Chryseis narrative of Boccaccio
and Chaucer, the main interest by far centres in the
Cryseyde-TroQus amour, to which the Cryseyde-Diomed
amour forms but the sequel, and, even in that connection,
is but little developed except in so far as it wedges the
iron into the soul of Troilus. ^
* M. Joly believes that Benoit de Sainte-More was the original
inventor of this story of Troilus and Briseida. Troilus he took
chiefly from Dares, and gave the personage a fuller and more
varied development: Briseida — the "Cryseyde" or •* Cresslda " of
after times — he wholly invented, in her character as the lady-love
of Troilus, and a type of feminine inconstancy. " L'histoire de
Tro'ilus et de Briseida ... est un tableau plein de malice qui vient,
d*une fa9on tout-il-fait inattendue, se meler au drame. . . . Cette
histoire parait lui appartenir tout entidre. C'est vralment un de
sea grands titred 4 Tattention. . . . Cependant il n'a pas tout-k-fait
invente Troilus. 11 en a fait un heros amoureux ; mais il 6tait
heros avant lui — a Dares en revicnt I'honneur. . . . Benoit ... a
fait de Troilus le vrai ty|)o du chevalier en sa jeunesse et en sa
fleur, r^unissant la force et la beaut c, le courage et le charme,— le
plus redoutable sur le champ de bataille, le plus digne d'etre aim6.
. . . Pour que ce vaillant chevalier f ut tout-a-fait eelon le ooeur du
moyen-ftge, il fiallait quelque chose encore. Benoit le salt bien, et
k toutes ses perfections Troilus en joindra une demi^re : il sera
amoureux. Darte n'avait songc k rien de semblable. ... 11 four-
nissait, il est vrai, k Benoit le nom et un aimable portrait de
Briseida : * Briseidam formosam' [&c. as in our text]. » . . II n'a
eu ^videmment en vue que la captive d'Achille. . . . Pour Benoit
les choses vont autrement : le portrait de Briseida probablement
Ta charme, et, comme o^est la seule femme qu'il rencontre en
dehors de la famille de Priam, la seule aussi qui soit libre d*Himer
Troilus, il en a fait la fille de Calchas. . . • Bemarquons que le
PRUrATOllY nCMARKS.
Vll
Chaucer does not, in any part of his poem, say anght
of his obligations to Boccaccio, but professes to follow
" myn autour callyd LoUius" (B. 1, st. 67), whom he men-
tions also in the House of Fame, Lollius has puzzled
everybody that has concerned himself with Chaucer's poem :
it appears to me that the most reasonable (assuredly a very
ingenious) suggestion is that made, or rather repeated, in
1868 (AtheTUBum, Oct.), by Dr R G. Latham: — that Chaucer
has, by some blunder or confusion, got the name Lollius
out of Horace's line
'* Trojani belli acriptorem, maxime Lolll." *
Some suspicion may arise that Chaucer supposed the
Filostrato to be the work, not of Boccaccio, but of Petrarch.
His mention of Lollius, above cited, introduces a trans-
lated passage which he interpolates out of Petrarch ; and
tlie writer of a French prose vei-sion of the FllostniiOy
Pierre Seigneur de Beauveau, whose production dates pro-
bably in the very latest years of the fourteenth century,
and therefore at no great distance of time from Chaucer's,
states positively that he works from " ung petit [livre] en
langue ytalienne que on appelle Flllostrato, lequel jadis fut
fait et compose par ting iM)et1ie Florentin nomme Petre-
ai'que" But, even assuming that Chaucer did attribute
po^te ne fait qu'indiquer Tamour de Troll us : il ne nous le montre
avec Britteida que pour la lui enlever aussitot. . . . Le personnage
que le pot^te a tenu 4 peindre c'eet Briseida : ce qu'il voulait mettre
en relief ici ce n'etait pas Tamour tendre et devouc, maia la
csoquetterie et la Icgerete fcminines. . . . Ce qui n'ctait qii^un
Episode deviendra une source poetique, ou puiseront quelques-uns
des pontes lea plus fameux de Tltalie et de TAngleterre. Mais, en
developpant Thistoire, Boccace, Chaucer, et Shakspeare, en
changeront tout-a-fait le caract^re.**
' It has been said, in opposition to Dr Latham's surmise (with
which M. Joly concurs) tiiat Chaucer's knowledge of Latin was
inconsistent with his misapprehending the meaning of this line,
clearly marked as it is by the cases of the substantives. No doubt
there is some force in the objection. But would it not be possible
that the line might have been known to Chaucer chiefly (if not
solely) in some translation where the true relation of the substan-
tives would be far less patent? Is any such translation known,
aod bow does it render the line in question 7
the Fllostraio to Petrarch, this does not bring us nearer to
an explanation of the name Lollius.
The confusion which Chaucer produced by speaking of
Lollius was increased by Lydgate in speaking of Trophe,
Lydgate, in the prologue to his translation of Boccaccio's
Fallea of Princes, says of Chaucer that
" In youth he made a translacion
Of a boke whiohe called is Trophe
In Lumbarde tonge, as men may rede k se,
And in our vulgar, long or that ye devyde.
Gave it the name of Troyloui and Creueyde,^^
The relation of the title Trophe to the title Filostrato has
exercised the minds of commentators almost as much as
the relation of the name Lollius to the name Boccaccio.
Mm. Moland and d'Hericault think that Trophe means
(Fr.) tntfe, (Ital.) trvffa, — i. e. cozening, l>etrayal, in allu-
sion to the falsehood of Chryseis to Troilus. Professor
Morley thinks it represents the Greek word rpojr^, — i. e.
turning, inconstancy, with the like allusion. M. Joly sur-
mises that Lydgate meant, and perhaps wrote. Strophe, in
reference to the metrical form of Boccaccio's poem. To me
it seems that all these conjectures, however plausible, are
wide of the mark j and that a perusal of the words of Boc-
caccio himself supplies the true explanation.^
The Greek word ^tXdurparoc really means "Army-"
lover " : but Boccaccio did not so understand it. He gave
it a passive instead of an active meaning, and supposed it
to signify "Love-vanquished." Here are his words, at
the opening of his proem : " Fllostraio is the title of this
book ; and the reason is because this name agrees excel-
lently with the purport of the book. Filostrato means * a
man vanquished and prostrated by love ' ; such as one can
see Troilus to have been, whose love is in this book
recounted For he was so strongly conquered by love, in
loving Chryseis, and was in such affliction at her departure,
* My suggestion to this effect was first published in the
AtJienaum for 26 September 18C8.
Vlll
PREFATORY REMARKS.
'that little was wanting but that death should seize him."
The like conception re-appears in a speech which Boccaccio
Duts into the mouth of Troilus (Bk 5, at. 56). " Then,
thinking on this, he added: 'Long^ hast thou made the
*tory of me, O Love, if I would not hide me from m3-self,
and if memory well reports to me the truth of it.
Wherever I go or stay, if well I mark, I discern full a
thousand signs of thy victory which thou hast had
triumphal over me, who once jeered every lover/ " The
question remains : " Can we connect the title Filosirato,
in the sense of ' Love -vanquished,' with the title Trophe?"
I think we can. It seems to me that Trophe is simply
the word Trophy, spelled in a slightly different manner.
A Love-vanquished man might very well bo synonymized
into a " Trophy of Love " ; a man held up to view as a
monument of Love's potency, or one wliose powers of
resistance to Love — ^his arms and armour, to keep up the
simile suggested by Boccaccio's own words — ^Have been
reft from him by Love the conqueror, and hung up as a
trophy. If the reader dissents from this interpretation, I
must remind him that it has at least one merit — it makes,
for the first time, the assertion of Lydgate consistent, from
a certain point of view, with the actual and known facts
of the case. That the original of Chaucer's Tro//his is
named Trophy (i. e. is named Filostrato in a sense wliich
may be rendered by the w^ord Trophy) is a truth : but
that it is named Strophe, or rpoiti}, Truffa, or anything
signifying Inconstancy, is an unmitigated untruth, for in
fact it is named Filostrato, And why should Lydgate
have told tliis gratuitous falsehood? Ko explanation is
forthcoming.
There woidd be many other things to say concerning
the Troyhia and Cryseyde — perhaps the most beautiful
narrative poem^ of considerable length, in the English
' See the Troylu*^ B. 5, st 84, and the collation there from ibe
Filottrato,
language. That Chaucer is not the sole person entitled to
the credit of its invention and narration has long been
known, is in these pages demonstrated with full detail,
and must be allowed for in anything that we say or that
others feel on the subject. But, even after this has been
admitted, our obligation to Chaucer remains where it was :
we still have to thank him for presenting English readers
with one of the most delightful of English or of possible
poems — ^an "entire and perfect chrysolite." The Troylus
and Cryseyde of Chaucer is peculiarly memorable and
unfailingly fascinating, as combining in itself at once the
very topmost blossom and crown of the cliivalric passion -
and gallantry, and the exquisite first-fruits of that *
humorous study of character in which our national writers ♦
have so specially excelled. This is the quality which
culminated so superbly in Shakspeare ; which had indeed
culminated, two centuries before Shakspeare, in Chaucer
himself — for there was simply no improving upon the
quality of character-painting exhibited in the Canterbury
Tales, and fore-shown, with no inferior power, in the
Pandarus of Troylus and Cryseyde, The chivalric passion •
and gallantry of which we have spoken come in great •
measure out of Boccaccio's poem into Chaucer's; the •
humorous study of character comes from himself. And it *
may be observed that, even as regards the first-named
motive power of the work, its passion and gallantry, the
poem is at once simple and complex ; for here love
assumes the form of gallantry and intrigue, while the core
and essence of it are passion — life-long and consuming in
Troylus, but in Cryseyde only quick-flaming and transient.
That there is some sort of monoton}*', and a good deal of
lengthened diffuseness, in Chaucer's poem, should not in
candour be denied : but the beauty, spirit, and tenderness
of the treatment, induce the reader willingly to pardon
this, and to regard it almost as a quaint and likeable
flavouring, and they carry liim on froni book to book with.
PREFATORY REMARKS.
IX
equal sympathy and enjoyment. In the more pathetic
and moving passages, where the sorrows or the bliss of
love supply the poet's inspiration, the very sound of the
delicious verses holds one under a spell.
These few words of tribute and gratitude to Chaucer
could hardly be withheld from any preface to the Trot/liu
and Cryset/de, My personal business, however, would
have been confined to such 2>oints as bear dii'ectly U|)on
the relation of the Troylus to the FUostraio* Leaving,
therefore, all else to the accomplished Chaucerian scholars
who have undertaken the work, I may here appropriately
conclude my ancillary part in it — only adding the account
which Lydgate, in his Troy Book, gives of the Troylzis
and Cryseyde^
W. M. ROSSETTI.
Ltmdon, February 187 L
TROYLUS.
LTDGATE ON CHAUCER AND HIS "TROYLUS.'*
{Ih-om Arundel MS 9fi, leaf 96, eol, 2.)
Troyliis and Cryseyde at their parting ai'e so
'' Disconsolat / al tho Jonge nyght
% That in good feith / yif I shulde a right
the processe hool / of" her bothe sorwe
That they made / tyl the next morwe
ffro poynt to poynt / it to speceffye
It wolde me / ful longe Occupy e
Of* eiwry thyng / to make mencioh)
And tarye me / in my translacion)
yif" I shulde / in her woo precede
But me semyth / that it is no nede
IT Sith my maister Chauucer here afom
In this mateer / hath so wel hym bom
In his book* / of" Troylus and Cryseyde
which he made / longe or that he deyde
Rehersyng first / how Troylus was Contrayre
ffor to assendo / vpon lovys stayre
And how that he / for al his Surquedye
Afftir he Cam / Oon of* the Companye
Of lovys folk* / for al his Okie game
whan Cupyde / makid hym ful tame
And brought hym lowe / to his snbieccion)
In a temple / as he walk* vp and don)
whan he his gyuys / and his hookys leyde
Amyd the Eyen / Cerclyd of Cryseyde
which on that day / he myght iiat a-sterte
flfor thorugh his brest / percyd and his herte
he wente hym hoom / pale syke and wan
If And in this wyse Troylus first be-gan
8
12
16
20
24
28
To be a servaunt / my maister tellith thus
IT Tyl he was holpe / afftir of Pandarus
If Thorugh whoos Comfort / and mediacioh)
As in his book* / is makid mencioii)
with greet labour / first he Cam to grace
And so Contvneth / by certeyn yeerys space
Tyl fortvne gan / vpon hym frowne
That she fro hym / mvt goon out of towne
al sodeynly / and nevir hym afftir see
lo here the ffyn / of false felicitee
lo here the Ende / of worldly brotylnesse
Of flesshly lust / lo heer the vnstabylnesse
lo here the double varyacion)
Of worldly blysse / and transmvtacion)
This day in myrthe / and in woo to-morwe
ffor ay the ffyn / alias of loye is sorwe
IT ffbr now Cryseyde / with the kyng Thoas .
ffor Anthenor / shal goo forth alias
vnto Grekis / and evere with hem dwelle
IT Tlie hool stoory / Chauucer kan yow telle
yif that ye lyst / no man bet a lyve
nor the processe / half so weel descryve
ffor he oure ynglyssh / gylte with his sawes
Eude and boystous / first be Olde dawes
That was ful fer from al perfeccioii)
And but of litel raputacion)
Tyl that he Cam / and thorugh his poetrye
Gran oure tonge / firste to magneffye
And adoume it / with his Elloquence
[leaf 90, bsck]
32
36
40
44
48
62
56
LYDQATE ON CHAUCER AND HIS
*' TB0YLU8."
XL
To whom honour / laude and Reverence
Thorugh out this lond / yove be and songe
So that the laurer / of* youre ynglyssh tonge
Be to hym yove / for his excellence
Right as whylom / by ful hifi sentence
Perpetuelly / for a memoryal
IT Of* Columpna / by the Cardinal
To Petrark* fraunceys / was yoven in ytayle
that the Repoort / nevir afftir fayle
Nor the honour / dirked of his name
To be Registred / in the hous of* ffame
60
64
68
Among othir / in the h^est sete
IT My maister Galfryde / as for a chef* Poete
that euere was yit / in oure langage 72
The name of^ whom / shal pallen in noon Age
But euere y-liche / with-oute Eclipsyng shyne
And for my part / I wyl neuere fyne
So as I Can / hym to magneffye 76
IT In my wryting / pleynly tyl I dye /
And god I preye / his soule brynge in loye^ Df w, bk,ooi. t]
IT And wheer I lefTte / I wyl ageyn to Troyo / "
' At the end of his Troy Book, Lydgate again returns to Chauoer's
praifle. After denouncing the ignorant hackbiterg and fault-finders,
Lydgate says (I quote from Pynson's ed., A.D. 1618, sign, D ill
backy as the Arundel MS 99 has lost its end) :
For vnto them / my boke is nat dyrect
But to suche / as haue in effect
On symple folke / full compassyon
That goodly can / by correccyon
Amende a thynge / that hyndre neuer adele
Of custome aye / redy to say wele
I Or he that was grounde / of well sayinge
In all his lyfe / hyndred no makjmge
My mayster Chaucer / thai founde full many spot
Hym lyst nat pynche I nor grutche at euery blot
Nor meue hym selfe / to parturbe his reste
I haue herde tolde / but sayde alway the beste
Snffrynge goodly / of his gentyllesse
F
Full many thynge / embraced with rudenesse
And if I shall / shortly hym descry ue
Was neuer / none / to this daye alyue
To reken all / bothe yonge and olde
That worthy whs / his 3mkehorne for to holde
And in this londe / if there any be
In borugh or towue / vyllage or Cyte
That connynge hath / his tracys for to sewe
Where he go brode / or be shet in mewe
To hym / I make a dyreccyon
Of this boke / to haue inspecoyon
Besechynge them / with theyr prudent loke
To race and scrape / thorugh out all my boke
Yoyde and adde / where them semeth nede
And though so be / that they nat ne rede
In all this boke / no rethorykes newe
^ Yet I hope / they shall fynde trewe
The storye playne / chefly in substaunce
- 1
^ila&ixuia
ffrogltts anb Crgsjegtrje.
[The summary of those parts of the poem that have not been
adapted hy Chaucer is enclosed in sgtiare brackets. In
this summary, the marks of quotation " " are given
wlien I translate a passage litei'oMy ; the marlcs *" '"
when I so translate a passage that forms a speech ; the
marks * ' when I summarize (withotd exactly translating)
a speech. — W-. M* R.]
BOOK L STANZA I.
[Boccaccio dedicates his poem to his lady — '' nobilissiiua
donna " ; traditionally reputed to be the same FiammetU
who is named in other writings of his, and who is iden-
tified with Maria, a natural daughter of King Kobert of
Naples, married to a nobleman of advanced age. He
says that he will not invoke Apollo or the Muses in
commencing this poem, which relates the woe of Troilus
for the departure of Chryseis, and which he writes during
the much-deplored absence of his own lady.]
[Harl MS. 3943.1 Tlie first 10 stanzas {on leaf 1) are in
a late 15th-century hand.l^
(5)
39 Thine be the honour, and mine be the toiL
[» 'Bought in Mr Rawlinson'a Sale of MSS 1734. pr. No. 658.
This has been collated by W". Thomas esq".' On the flyleaf .]
[Proem of eight stanzas.]
(1)
THe double soi-ow of* Troilus to tellefl [fc^ri] 1
that was kyng Pry amy s sonne of Troye
In lovyng* how his aventuris fellefi
Frome wo to wele and aft'tinvarde oute of loye 4
my purpose is or I parte you froye
Thesiphon po\x helpe me for to endite
these wofuH wordes ])at wepyn as I write 7
(2)
TO the clepe I thou goddesse of* turmente 8
thou cruel wighte that soroAvist euer in peyne
Helpe me that am the sorye lustrumente
That helpith lovers as I can to pleyne 1 1
for wel it sitt the sothe for to seyne
vn-to a wofuH wi^hte a drerv chore
And to a sory tale a sory chei-e 14
(3)
Por I fat god of louys se^'uaviitis serve 15
Ne dare to love for myn vnliklynesse
Pray for spede though I shulde sterve
so ferre I am frome his helpe in derknesso 18
but natheles myght I do yit gladnesse
To my lover or my love availe
Haue he thanke & myn be the travaile 21
TR0YLU8.
BOOGACOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK I.
CHAUCEB's TJiOYLUS AND CBYSEYDE^ BOOK I.
(6)
41 And you lovers, I pray you hearken.
43 Andy if it happens that in your heart you feel
44 Any pitiful spirit aroused,
45 I pray you that ye pray Love for me,
46 Through whom I, mournful like TroiluSr
But ye lovers that bathefi in gladnesse 22
If" any drope of" pitee in you he
Eememhre you for olde passid heuynesse
for goddis love and on adu^rsitee 25
that other suffrefi thynke how somtyme ]»at ye
fownde how love durst, you displese
Or ellis ye wonne it with grete ease 28
(6)
And preyth for them that heen in the caas 29
Of Troylus as ye may afiftii^ here
that love them hryng in hevyn to solaas
And for me praieth J^at god so deere 32
he yeve me myghte to shewe in some manere
some peyn or woo suche as lovis folke endure
In troylus vnseely Auenture 35
(6)
PBaith for them that eke ben dispeired [icvi.ftaeir] 36
In love ]»at nevir* nyH Becouerid he
And eke for them ]>at falsely ben appaired
thorugh wikkid tungt^ be it he or she 39
Or thus biddith god for his benyngnyte
To graunte theym soone out of* this worlde to pas
That ben dispeired out of* theii' lovis gras 42
(7)
And biddith eke for them ]»at ben at ese 43
In love fai god them graunte perseueraunce
And sonde them myght theii* loves so to plese
that it be to them worshipp and plesaunce 46
And so hope I my sowle best to Auaunt'e
To pray for them ])at lovis servaunt/^ be
And write their woo & ly ve in Charite 49*
Boccaccio's fiwstjulto^ book i.
Chaucer's tboylus and cryskyde, book i.
(7)
49 The Grecian kings were around Troy,
50 Strong in arms.
53 Ever they more invested it fix>m day to day ;
54 All accordant in one same resolre —
55 To revenge the outrage and rape
56 Of Queen Helen, made by Paris.
(8)
57 When Calchas, whose lofty science
58 Had already merited to hear
59 Every confidence of the great Apollo,
62 Knew and saw, after a long war,
63 The Trojans dead, and the city destroyed.
(8)
And for to haue of them compassion
As though I were J>eii:' own bro])cr dere
Now listenyth euery wight wtt/t goode entenciofl
for I win now go streight to my matere
In whiche ye shall the double sorowe here - i
Of" Troylus in lovyng of" Crisseide
And how ])at she forsoke hym or she deide
50
53
56
(9) [The Story,]
IT is wel wist how J>e Grekis strong
In armes vrith a thousand^ shippis went
To troy waidis & the Cite long
Assegid wel .x yei* or they stynt
And in dyu^rse wise and in on Intent
The Eavysshyng to vengyn of* Heleyn
fuH besyly thay diden theii^ peyn *
(10)
How fin it so y&i in the town thei^ was
Dwellyng a lorde of grete Auctoritee
A gret Dyvyne ]>at clepid was Calcas
That in science so experte was he
Knew wel that Troy distroied shulde be
by Aunswei' of* his god that highte thus
Deiphebus or AppoUo Delphicus
(11)
^To whan fis Calcas knew by calkelyng^
And eke by answere of this Apollo
That grekis shold such a peple bryng^
Thurgh which fat Troy must be for-do
he cast a-none out of the toufl to go
(for wele wist he byfor )»at Troy shold
Distroyed be je wold ho so nold
57
P MS Mt]
60
lt0Hfi}
63
64
67
70
71
74
77
* The older hand of the MS. (7 1440 a.d.) begins here. The first
ten stanzas are written in the same hand as the end of the volume ia.
Boccaccio's filosthato, book i.
chauceb's troylus and crysbyde, book I. 4
(9)
66 Wherefore secretly to depart
66 Eesolved he, provident and wise ;
67 And, taking place and time for fleeing,
68 He wended his wav to the Grecian host :
69 Whence he saw many coming to meet him,
70 Who received him with glad visage, —
71 Hoping for utmost and good counsel from him
72 In every accident or peril.
(10)
'73 Great rumour was there when it was lieard
74 Through all the city generally
75 That Calchas had fled therefrom ;
78 And [that he had] as a traitor done wickedly ;
79 And, for the most part of the people, they hardly
80 From going with Are to his houses. [withheld
(11)
81 Calchas had left in all this mischance,
82 Without letting her know anything ahout it,
83 A daughter of his,
(12)
Wherfor to departe al softely
he toke his ful purpos in this wyse
And to )>e grekis cost ful pryvily
he stale anone & fei in curteys wyse
Dede hym worship and servise
hopyug* in hym kunnyng* hem to rede
In eue?y pe;il which fat was to drede
(13)
Grete rumowr gaw whan it was feret aspyed
Thurgh al pe toun and gen6;:aly was spokyn
That Calcas traytour fled was & alyed
To her foos & woldyn fayn be wrokyn
On hym pat had his trouJ>e ]^ub fakly brokyn
And sworyn pat he & al his kyn at onys
were worthy brent hope feH and bonys
85 A widow,
86 Named Chryscis ;
86 To my thinking,
86 As [discreet &c.] as any other that was bom in Troy.
84 So beautiful and so angelic to see
85 Was she, that she appeared not a mortal thing.
(14)
How had Calcas left* in pis mischaunce
Vnknowyng* of this cursyd dede
his doghtir pat lyvid in grete penaunce
\ ffor her lyf she was perfor in drede
Ke in al pis world she nyst not what to rede
ffor bothe a wydowe was she & allone
Of eny frend to whom she durst mono
(15)
Cryseyd was pis lady name a right
As to my dome yn al troyes Citee
So fair was none for oner euery wiglit
So angelik* was her natyf beute
That lyke things ifimortal semyd she
As doth a p^rfit heuenly creature
That doun was sent in scome of* nature
78
81
84
85
88
91
92
95
98
99
102
105
B0CGACC10*S FJLOSTRATOy BOOK I.
Chaucer's troylus and cryseyds, book i.
(12)
89 'WTiOy hearing the menacing nimour
90 For her father's flight, very sorrowful
91 As she was amid so much dubious fury,
92 In a mourning garb, and tearful,
93 Threw her.self on her knees at the feet of Hector ;
94 And with voice and aspect very piteous,
95 Excusing herself,(and accusing her father, )
96 Finished her speech begging for mercy.
(13)
97 Hector was pitiful of his nature.
98 Wherefore, seeing the great plaint of her
99 Who was more beautiful than creature else,
100 He comforted her somewhat with kind speech,
101 Saying : " Let with evil hap
102 Thy father go who has so offended us ;
103 And thou, secure and cheerful, without annoy,
104 Eemain in Troy with us while thou pleasest.
(U)
105 " The pleasure and honour thou wilt,
106 As if Calchas were here, be assured,
107 Thou shalt always have from us all."
109 She thanked him much for this,
110 And more she would, but it was not allowed her.
111 Wherefore she rose, and returned
112 To her house, and there was at rest.
(15)
113 There she stayed with such household
114 As it befitted her honour to keep,
116 While she was in Troy ;
119 And beloved was she,
120 And honoured, by every one that knew her.
116 Kor did she need to care
117 For son or daughter,
118 As it had never been her lot to have any.'
* The reader will observe Chaucer's deliberate departure from
Boocaooio in this particular : Chauoer says that he has no informa-
(16)
This lady which that herd al day at ere [f«qr2;&a«jir] 106
her fadris shame his falsnes and tresot^n
( wel ny out of* her wyt for pure fere
In wydewys habyt large of* samyte broud
Byfor Hector on knees she feli a doun
with chere & voys ful pytous & wepyng
his mercy bad herself" excusyng*
109
112
(17)
How was J^is Ector pitous of nature
And saw how she was sorowful bygone
An that she was so faire a creature
Of* his gladnes he gladid her anone
And seyd lete ^our fadir tresoun gone
To sory hap & 30 jour self* in ioy
Dwellith whil ^ow good lyst in troy
(18)
And al J^e honour that men may do 30W have
As thogh 30ur fadir dwellyd al here
5e shul have. & jour body shul men save
As ferfortfi as y may enquere & here
And she hym thonkyd oft in humble chere
And oft^r wold if it had be his wille
And toke her leve went home & held her stille
(19)
And in her hows abode with such meyne
As to her honour nede was to holds
And while fat she dwellyd yn fat citee
Thurgh out in al with yong & eke wit/i olde
fFiil wel bylovyd & folk* wele of" her tolde
I But whethir she childryn had or none
I rede not f erlbr y lete hit gone
113
116
119
120
123
126
127
130
133
tion as to whether or not Cryseyde had any children, tfhe affected
uncertainty seems to serve little purpose, save that of the professed
v.,
6
BOCCAOCIO'S FIWSTRATO, BOOK I.
OHAUOBB'8 TSOYLUS and CRrSBYDMf BOOK I.
6
(16)
121 Things went on in the way of war
122 Between the Trojans and Greeks very often.
125 Many times the Greeks (if the story
126 EiTs not) went most fiercely
1-27 Even on to the fosses, and pillaging around :
123 Sometimes the Trojans sallied from the city
124 Vigorously against the Greeks.
(17)
129 Andy although the Trojans were shut in
130 By their Grecian enemies, it ensued not
131 That therefore should ever be intermitted
132 The divine sacrifices, but there were held
133 In every temple the wonted rites.
134 But with greater and more solemn honour
135 Than any other they honoured Pallas
136 In everything, and more than any else tended her.
(18)
137 Wherefore, the lovely time having come which
138 Eedothes the meads with grass and flowers.
derivation of the Troyhu and Cryteyde from authentic Rources, or
that of the quaint confidential honhomie which the English poet
BO gracefully adopted. Reoent Chaucerian compatriots and com-
mentators — Mr Robert Bell and Professor Morley— have lifted up
such frequent hands of correct and holy horror at the moral
obliquities of Boccaccio, in this FUogtrato^ as compared with Chau-
cer, that it may be fair to inquire whether the Italian does not
here show thd superior delicacy. Boccaccio tells us at once that
(20)
The thingis feU^ as ]>ei done of* werre 134
Bytwix hem of* Troy & grekys ful oft
fifor some day bog&t ]>ey of* Troy hit dere
And oft foundyn ]>e Grekis al vnsoft 137
The folk* of" Troy & fus fortune a lofb
And vndur eft gan hem to whilyn bo]>e
Aftir her cours ay while )»ey weryn wro^e 140
(21)
Bvt* how this toun come to destruccioun il•^f^'\ 141
Ke fallith not now to purpos me to telle
ffor why if were a long* digressioun
Of* my matere & for yow long* to dwella 144
But ))e troianys gestes as ]>ei fell«
In homere or in daris or yn dyte
who so can may rede hem as fey wryte 147
(22)
[But though that Grekes hem of Troie shetten] [Baii vmi
And her Cit-ee bysegedyn 23k aboute
The old vsage nold they of* troy lettyn
As for to honour her god and to loutyn 151
But alj^ermoost in honour out of dout
They had a relique hight PaUadion
That was her trust abovyn eucrychofl 164
(23)
And so byfel whan comyn was ])e tyme 155
Of* apparaille whan cloj^id is the mede
with newe grene of* ioly veer fe pryme
the lady had no children ; therefore, in her sabsequent amoun^
she cannot have been transgressing any maternal obligations^ or
entailing any slur upon the ofifspring of her marriage-bed. Chau-
cer preferentially leaves the whole question uncertain. It may be
added that Benoit de Sainte-More, whose Roman de Troie furnishes
the groundwork of Boccaccio's poem, and thence of Chaucer^s also^
seems to put forward his "Briseida** as never having been married
at all : he terms her more than ouoe ''la puoele."
BOCCACCIO S FILOSTRATO, BOOK I.
141 The Trojan &ther8 piepared
142 The wonted honours to the fated PaUadium.
143 To which feast
143 Both ladies and knights
144 Went together, and all with good will.
(19)
145 Among whom was the daughter of Calchas,
146 Chryseis, who was in a sombre habit;'
147 Who, as much as the rose conquers
148 The violet in beauty, so much was she
149 More than other lady beautiful, — and she alone
150 More than other made the great feast glad.
' " In bruna vesta " ; literally, in a brown habit. But this is
one of the manypoflsages in old Italian writers which show that
this brown is to be understood as dark, tombre, black,
' " Negli atti altiera, piacente, ed accorta." There is in these
epithets an aroma which the English does not readily preserve.
151 Standing in the temple very near the door
152 In her air lofly, pleasing, and apt.^
(20)
153 Troilus was going as young men
154 Are wont to do, looking about here and there
154-5 In the great temple, and ranging with his companions,
CHAUCER*S TROYLVS AND CRYSBYDE, BOOK I.
And swete smellyng* flouns whit & rede
In meny wyse shewyd as y rede
The folk* of* Troy af'tir her obs^ruaunccs olde
Palladions feest wentyn for to holde
(24)
And to J^e temple in all her best wyse
In general went enery manere wight
That thryfty was to heryn her serviBe
And J^at so meuy a thousand lusty kny^ht
So meny a fressh lady A, maydyn bryght
fful wele byseyn the moost & eke fe leest
^e bothe for ]>e seson & eke for ]>e feest
(25)
Among< ]>e which was this Cryseyda
In wydowis abyte blak< but natheles
Bight as our chef* lettie ys now A .
In bewte ferst so stood she makeles .
Her goodly lokyng gladyd al ]>e pres
Nas neu^e seyn thing* to be praysid derre
Ke vndur blak* cloud so bright a stene
(26)
As she was as J^ei seydyn echeon
That her byheld in her blak* wede
And yet she stode ful low & stil alone
Byhynd of er folk* in litil brede
And ny pe dore ay vndur shamys drede
Symple of beryng* & deboner of chere
With a ful seure lokyng* & a manere
(27)
Davfi Troyllus as he was wont to gyde
his yonge knyghtis lad hem vp & doufi
In that large temple on eaery syde
ilea/t, back)
7
158
161
162
165
168
169
172
175
176
179
182
183
»/
8
BOCOAOCIO S FILOSTIUTO, BOOK I.
156 Looking at the pretty >vomen ; ^
159 Being a man who liked one
160 Ko better than the other, and enjoyed his liberty;
157 And he began to praise now this one, now that,
158 Disparaging also some of them.
(21)
161 Indeed, at whiles, thus going about,
162 Seeing some one who looked hard
163 At some lady, sighing within himself,
164 He laughing pointed him out to his companions,
165 Saying : " That wobegone fellow has cast ofif
166 His liberty, so grievous was it to him,
167 And has handed it over to her:
168 Mark how vain are his thinkings ! "
[Troilus continues with some severe reflections on the
levity of women ; saying that he has suffered wofuUy from
it aforetime, not without amorous enjoyment as well — but
he is now out of all such agitations, lives in peace, and can
a£ford to smile at other less fortunate men.]
(25)
198 Without imagining that then for him
199 Was hastening the dart of Love, which so transfixed
him.^
* This item is not given in the edition of the Filottrato to
which I mostly confine myself — Opere Volgari di CHopanni Boc*
caccio, corrette tni Testi a penna. Vol. 13. FircnzBy per Ig,
MotttieVf 1831. It is from another edition, 11 Filogtrato, Poema
di Oio, Boeeaec'w, ora per la prima tolta data in luee, Parigi,
preuo Franc, Ambr, Bidet il Maggiore, 1789. This last-named
edition was produced by Fra Luigi Baroni, and is portentously
slipshod. I have to thank Mr Henry Bradshaw, of King's College,
CHAUCER*B TBOYLVS AND CRYSEYDE, BOOK I. 8
Byholdyng* ay the ladies of* ]>e toufi 186
Kow here now peie for no deuocioun
had he to none to revyn hym his rest
But gfui to prayse & lak< whom hym lest 189
(28)
And in his walk* ful fast he gan to wayte 190
If* knyght or sqwyer of* his cumpany
Gan for to sike or lete his eyen bayte
On eny woman J^at he couth aspye 193
he wold smyle and hold it folye
And sey hym thus a lord she slepith soft
ffor love of* the whan )>ow tumyst oft 196
(29)
I have herd told of jour lyvyng* ^ 197
JO loners & jour lewde obseniaunce
And such a labour have folk* in wynnyng*
Of love and in kepyng with doutaunce 200
And whan jour prey is lost wo & penaitnce
verrey folys may ye no thing se
Kan none of yow yware by other be 203
(30)
And with J^at word he gan cast vp his brow 20 1
Askauns lo is )>is not wysely spokyn
But trowe ye not pert love po lokyd row
flfor pat despite & shope to bene y-wrokyn 207
yes Curtis lovis bow was not y-brokyn
fifor be myn heed he hit hym at pe full6
And yet as proud a pocok* he can pulla 210
Cambridge (among other courtesies), for warning me against it
Many of its variations have (it seems) no authority whatever : but,
in the present instance, it would appear that Baroni followed some
MS. corresponding with that which Chaucer consulted, while the
very superior edition of Moutier has followed some other MS. to a
different effect.
' These two lines are also from Baronies edition.
BOCCACCIO 8 FILOSTRATO^ BOOK I.
chaucgb'b tboylus and ceysbvds, book I.
193 Oh blindness of mortal minds !
194 How often do effects ensue
195 All contrary to our proposing !
(31)
blynd world o blynd inienciofi V^*,}
how oft falltf al pe effectis contrarie
Of* surquyde and sucti pr^sumpciofl
ffor caglit is proud & also deboner
Daun Troylus is clumbyn on )>e staire
And lytil wenitb J^at he must decendyn
But alday faylith that pes folys wenyn
(32)
As pmud bayard gynnyth for to skip
Out of* pe wey so prikitll hym his corft
Til he a lasshe have of* pe longe whip
Than thenkith he how y praunce al byforfi
fferst in the trays ful fat & new y-shorii
3et am y but an hora and horsis lawe
1 mote endure and as my feris drawc
(33)
So ferd it by |)at fers and proud knyght
Thogh he a worthy kyngis sone were
he wend no thing* had had such myght
Ayens his wiH pat shold his heii, stero
Ye with a loke his hert was ful fere
J)at he fat now was moost yn pryde above
"Wax sodenly moost seruaunt vnto love
(34)
Por-thy ensaumple takith of* this man
Ye wyse proud & worthy folkys alle
To scome love which J^at so sone can
The fredom of* ^our hertys to hym thralle
ffor eug^-e was and eiier shal by-falle
That love is he fat althing can blynd
llbr may no man vndo pa lawe of* kynd
211
2U
217
218
221
224
225
ltd* T« . » ij ' w .
T
228
' "k« .
t I
r*
231
232
235
238
TBOYLUS.
d
10
BQCOACCIO B FIL08TRAT0, BOOK I.
chaucbr'6 tsoylus and crtseyde, book I. 10
(26) .
201 Thus therefore Troilus, going jeering
202 At oue and another, and often
(35)
That ])is be soth hath p9*evid & doth yet
ffor this trow y ^e knowyn al & some
Men redith not J^at folk* han grett^ wyt
Than pei psX have with love be most y-nome
And strengest folk* be )>erwith ouercome
The worthiest & grettest of* degre
This was & is and jet men may it se
(36)
And trewly hit syt wele to be so ife^4,baeki
ffor aljr^rwysest han therwith be plesyd
And they ^at han be althermoost in wo
with love have bene comfortyd and esyd
And oft it hath the crewel hert apesyd
And worthy folk made worthier of name
And causith moost to drede vys & shame
(37)
How seth it may not goodly be wiUistond
And is a thing* so vertiions of* kynd
Ne giiicchith not to love for to be bond
Setfi as hym self lest* he may yow bynd
Betir is ]>e wand ^t bowyn wole & wynd
Than J^at that breatith fer(or y jow rede
Now fulowith hym pat so wele may jow lede
(38)
But for to telle forth in especiait
As of* this kyngis sone of" whom y told
And levyn al o]H3r thinges coUatersdi
Ofi hym thenk y my tale forth to hold
Bothe of* his ioy & of* his cans cold
And al his workis as touchyng* ])i8 mature
ffor y hit bygan y wil ther-to refere
(39)
With-in fo temple went he forth pleying*
This Troylus with encry wight about
239
2i2
245
246
249
252
253
256
259
260
263
266
267
11
Boccaccio's fjlostaato, book i.
Chaucer's troylus and cryseyde, book r. 11
\\^
V
>)
203 Taking a look now at this lady, now at that,
204 By chance it happened that^ among the people,
205 His roving eye reached piercing
206 To where was the charming Chryseis.
(27)
209 She was tall,^ and to her stature
.210 AU her members answered well :
21 { -And in her looks
212 She showed a womanly loftiness.
(28)
217 That action pleased Troilos, the self-intent
218 Which she showed,' a little piqued ;
21d niVith her arm she had drawn the mantle aside
214r7rom her face, making room for herself :
219 As though she said, ''May one not stand herel"*
220 And he gave himself the more to marking her looks,
221 Which, more than any others, seem to him worthy
222 Of high praise.
' CSianoer does not make Chryseis tall : see, in addition to the
'present paasages, Book 6, st 116. He has followed the authority
of Benoit de Sainte-More, and his successor Guido delle Colonne ;
whereas Boocaocio adheres to the aboriginal description of " Briseis "
given hy Dares the Phrygian.
> MAI tomare Ch*ella fe in se": literally, '<at the returning
into herself which she mode."
* This "As though she said** follows on properly after *<a little
On this lady and now on that lokyng*
whethir she were of toun or without
And vp-on cas byfel J^at J^urgh pat rout
his eye pcrceyvid and so depe hit went ^
Til on Cryseyd hit smote & per it stent
(40)
And sodenly wax wondur sore astonyd
And gan her better 'by hold in bysy wyse
O verrey god ]>oght he wher hast pan wonyd
]>at art so fayr and goodly to devise
per wit& that his hert gan sprede and rise
And soft he sykyd lest men myghf hym her^
And caght ayen his ferst ploying* chere
270
273
274
277
(41)
She nas not with )>e leest of her stature
But al her lymys so wele answeryng*
weryn to womanhode that creature
Kas neuere lasse mannyssh in semyng*
And eke the pure wyse of* her mevyng*
She shewyd wele )>at men myght in her gesse
honour astate and womanly noblesse.
(42)
Tho Troylus rigfit wondur wele wf t^-allc
Gan for to lyke her mevyng* & her chere
which sumdel deynous was for she lete falle
her loke a lytil on syde on such manere
Askauns what may y not stondyn here
And aftir ]>at her lokyng* gan she light
That neuere thoght hym seth so good a sight
[l«V5]
280
281
284
287
288
291
294
piqued *' ; the two intermediate lines being above interpolated from
the preceding stania. In my interrogative translation *< May one
not stand here 7 '* I have conformed to Ghauoer : both the editions
I know of the Italian, however, punctuate the phrase affirmatively
'—** There u no staying here.'* The Italian words would remain
identically the same, whether purporting interrogation or affirma*
tion.
It'
; « •
12
BOCCACCIO 8 FJLOSTRATO, BOOK I.
CHAUCER S TROYLUS AND CRYSEYDE, BOOK I.
12
(29)
225 Nor did he peTCeive — he that wa3 so sage
226 A little while before in censuring otheis—
227 That Love dwelled within the beaming
228 Of those beautiful eyes, with his darts.
(30)
233 This lady under the black mantle pleasing
234 Troilus more than any other, he, without saying
235 What motive so long kept him there,
238 Without disclosing aught to any one,
237 From afar gazed, and gazed as long
239 As the honours to Pallas lasted.
(30, 31)
240 Then, with his companions, he quitted th^ temple :
245 For that which he had shortly before spoken
246 (Lest the disparaging talk of others should be turned
247 If perhaps the fire were known [against him
248 Into which he had fallen),
244 Keeping his desire well concealed.
(43)
And of* lier loke in hyw per gan to qwykyn
So grete desire with so strong affecciofi
That in his hertis botme hit gan to stykyn
Of* her his fixe and clepe inpressiofl
And ]>ogh he arst had powrid vp &'doufi
he was so gla<l his hornys in to shryuk*
vnncthis wist he how to loke or wvuk*
(44)
Lo he J>nt lete hym self* so cunnyng*
And scornyd hyra fat loves peynes dryen
was ful vnware that love had his dwellyng*
'with-yn the sotil stremys of* his eyen
])at sodenly hym thoght he shold dyen . .
Eight with her loke J>e spirit of* his hert
Blessid be love J^at can pus folk* coTiucrt
(4S)
She pis in blak* likyng to Troylus
Oueral thing* he stood to byholde
Ne his desire ne wherfor he stood pus
he neithir chere made ne woord tolde
But from ferre her manere to byholde
On opir things some tyme his loke he cast
And oft on her whil pat pe servise last
(46)
295
298
301
302
805
308
309
312
315
And after this not fully al arwapyd
Out of* pe temple al esyly he went
Repentyng* hym pat he had eucre y-iaped
Of* lovis folk lest fully the dissent
Of scome fil on hym but what he ment
lest it were wyst on eny manei^e syde
his woo he gan dissymylyn & eke hyde
[/#(r/ 9, 6ffdk]
316
319
322
13
BOCOAOOIO S FILQSTRATOy BOOK I.
Chaucer's thotlus and cryseyds, book i. IS
(32)
249 Wlxen Ghiyseia^ had thus left the noble temple,
250 Troilus returned to the palace.
253 The better to hide the love-wound,^
251 He there in joyous life,
252 With [his companions], stayed a long while*
254 He took a gi-eat spell of jeering at lovers
f Chaucer, as we see, transfers this to Troilus.
* This line, in strictness, belongs immediately to the next but
two; " He took a great spell," ftc.
(47)
Whan he was ^us fro ^e temple departyd
he streight a-none vn-to ))e paleys t2^mit}i
Eight wi]> her look* thurgh shotyn & dartid
Al feynith he in lust ^at he soioumitli
And al his speche & chere he vnoumith
And ay of* lovia s«ruauntis euerywhile
hym self to were at hem he gan to smyle
m
And seyd a lord so je lyve al in lyst
Ye lovyers for f e kuwnyngest of jow
That servith moost ententiflicli and best
hym tyt perof* as off harme as prow
^our hire is qwyt a-jen 30 god wotc how
Noght wele for wele but scome for good Befvys
In feij) ^our ordre is reulyd in good wyse
(49)
In no ceii>eyn bene al yow?* obseruoMnces
But hit a sely fewe poyntis be
Ne no ^ing* askith so grete attendaunces
As doth ^our lay & J)at know al 30
But fat 1^ not fe worst so mote y the
But tx>ld y which were f e worst y leve
Al seyd y soth 30 wold at me greve
(50)
Bvt take piB pat ^e loners oft eschewe
fifor good or done ot good intencion)
fiPul oft thi lady wole hit mysconstrew
And deme hit hantw in her opynion)
And 3et if* she for ofer encheson)
Be wroj^e 3et shalt )70w have a groyn anon
lord wel is hym fat' may be of 30W one
S23
326
329
33d
333
336
337
340
343
344
347
350
14
BOCCACCIOB FnjOSTRATO^ BOOK I.
CHAUCmt's TBOTLUS AND CRYSBTDKf BOOK I.
u
* " Che altro 1o ttrinffente,*' — Chaueer*8 word *' diitreynyd,"^
' Ch»uoer*8 line, it will be observed, differs from this, yet seems
to hare ft certain dependence upon it
254 Then, affecting
255 That something else called him off,'
256 He told eveiy one to go whither he would.
(33)
257 And, all being gone, all alone
258 He went to his chamber, where he sat down
259 Sighing, at the bed's foot ;
260 And began to think over the pleasure
261 Which he had had that morning in the looks
262 Of Chryseis, and in the true
863 Beauties of hei face, numbering them.
(34)
265 He highly commended her air and stature,
266 And esteemed her of very great heart ) ^
267 And great fortune
268 He reputed it to be loved by such a lady ;
269 And all the more if, by long care on his part,
270 He might procure that, as much as he loved her,
271 So much he might by her be loved,
272 Or at least not be rejected as a servant.
(36)
S73 Imagining that travail or sighing
274 Could not be lost for such a lady ;
275 And that his desire ought to be
276 Much praised, were it ever known
277 By any, and hence his pangs
278 Less blamed, being discovered —
279 This argued the happy youth,
280 111 apprehending his ^ture weeping.
(61)
Bvt for al \\s whan ))at he saw his tyme Veaff^ 351
he held his pees non o^ bote hynt gaynyd
ffor love bygan his fetheris for to lyme
That wele vnnethe vn-to his folk* he feynid 354
^t oJmt bysy nedis hym distreynyd
ffor wo was hym ))at what to do he nyst
But bad his folk* to go wher ))at hem lyst 357
(52)
And whan ^at he in chambre was alone 358
he doun vp-on his beddis feet hym set
And fast* he gan to sike & eke to grone
And ))Oght on her so ay wt]>-out let 361
)>at as he sate & woke his spirit met
^at he her saw in ))e temple & al ^ wyse
Right of* her loke & gan hit newe aviso 364
(53)
Thus gan a luirrour of* his mynde 365
In which he saw al holy her figure
And ))at he cou)> wele in his hert fynde
hit was to hym a right good auenture 368
To love such on & if he dede his cure
To servyn her ^et might he fal in grace
Or ellis for one of* her seruauntis pace 371
(64)
Tmagyning* ))at travaiU & game 372
Ne myght for so goodly on be borne
As she ne hym for his desire ne shame
Al were it wyst but yn prise & vpbome 375
Of* aUd loners wel more ]Min byfome
Thus aigumentyd he in his bygynnyng*
flxd vnauisid of* his wo comyng* 378
15
BOCCACCIO 8 rilOSTRATO, BOOK I.
CHAUCKR8 TBOYLVS AXD cnrSKYDK, BOOK L
15
(36)
281 Wherefore, disposed to follow up this love,
282 He thought he would work discreetly ;
283 Proposing for the first to conceal his ardour
285 From every friend and dependent,
286 Even if this were not finally needful ; ^
287 Reflecting that love confessed to many
288 Earns as recompense annoy and not joy.
(37)
289 And, beyond these, many other things —
290 Whether for avowing, or whether for attracting
291 The lady to him — ^he proposed to himself:
292 And hence joyful he gave himself to singing,* —
295 Hoping well ; and he wholly set himself
294 That he would love Chtyseis alone.
* ^'Se old non bisognaase ultiiDamente." I understand the
meaning of this to be as I have rendered it ; but the punctuation
of the Italian editions indicates some different sense — being (I sup-
pose) " unless indeed this l»c. avowal, although only concealment
has been actually mentioned before] should become needful ; ulti-
mately zeflecting," &q. Chaucer's line appears to follow this same
sense.
' '^ E quindi lieto si diede a cantare." Nothing seems to be
meant by Booeoocio beyond *' singing-^chaunting tunes" in light-
heartedness. But Chaucer turns it into the composition of a song
or poem ; which he thereupon proceeds to insert, adapting it, not
from Boccaccio^ but from the S8th sonnet of Petrarch.
[lliis 8ong is a trandation of the SSth sonnet of Petrarch : —
* S*amor non h, che dunque k quel ch' V sento 1
Ma s* egli 6 amor, per Dio, che cosa e quale 1
Se buona, ond' k Teffetto aspro mortale 1
' Se ria, ond* e si dolce ogni tormento 1 4
(57)
And of* this song not only pw sentence
As wiyt myn autour callyd lollius
But eke save ))at our spechis dififerens
I dare wel seyn in al that Troylus
Sayd in his songe lo euery word right ))U8
As y shal seyn & ho so lyst it here
lo next ^is vers he may hit findyn here
2%e Song of Troylus,
(58) [L]
Tf* no love is good what fele y so
And if* love is what ^ing & which is he
If* love be good fro whens comith my wo
If* he be wykkyd a wondur thinkith me
Whens euery turment and aducz-site
That comith of* love may to mo sauery think*
For more thrust y the more fat y drynk*
/
1
379
882
386
(65)
Thus toke he purpos lovys craft to sewe
And ]K>ght he wold wirche al privily
fiferst to hide his desire al in mewe
ffrom eu^ry wight bom al vtterly
But he might ought recouc^d be ferhj
Remembring* hym pat love to wyde y-blow
Yeldith litil froyt ))ogh swete sede be sow
(56)
And oner al pia myche more he thoght pM/ a, taeir] 386
what to speke and what to holdyn yn
And what to artyn her to love he sogbt
And on a song< anone right to bygyn
And gan lowd on his sorow )k) to wyn
For with good hope he gan ]>er to assente
Cryseyde for to love and not repente
S89
392
393
396
399
400
403
406
16
BOOCACCIO'S FILOSTRAtO, BOOK I.
chauoeb's tboylus and cryseYve, book I. 1$
[FetrarcJi's SSth Soniiet continued.']
8'a mia voglia ardo, end* e '1 pianto el lamento?
S'a mal mio grade, il lamentar che vale 1
viva morte, o dilettoso male,
Come puoi tanto in me s'io nol consciito ?
£ 8'iol coBsento, a gran torto mi doglio.
Fra si contrari venti, in frale barca
, Mi tiovo in alio mar, senza govemo.
Si lieve di saver, d'en'or si carca
Ch'i' medesmo non so quel ch*io mi voglio,
£ tremo a mezza state, ardendo il yorno.^
8
11
U]
m
297 And to Love he said at whiles
298 "With piteous speaking : " Lord, now
299 The soul is thine that used to be mine :
300-2 Which pleases mo, because thou hast given me to
serve —
301 I know not whether to say a woman or ratlier a
goddess.
(39)
305 " Thou, true Lord, abidest in her eyes,
306 As in a place, worthy of thy virtue :
307 Wherefore, if my service at all pleases thee,
308 I pray thee procure from those the saving
309 Of my soul."
(59) [ii.]
And if* y yn myn owne lusf brenne
Fro whens comith my weylyng* & my pleynt
If* hanne agre me ^e wherto pan y pleyne
I wote ner why vnwery p&t y feynt
O qwyk* dethe o swete harme so qweynt
How may y se in me such quantite
But if* y consent ^at hit so be
(60) [iii.]
And if* fat y consente y wrongfully
Compleyne ywis . pua possyd to and £ro
All sterles wit£ yn a bote am y
Middis pG see bytwix wyndis too
That yn contrarie stondyn eue*' mo
Alas what pis is a wondre malady c
For hete of cold for cold of hete y dye
(61)
And to 1^ god of* love pus seyd he
with pytous voys o lord now your is
Jje spiryt which that oght euere youris be
Jow fonk* y lord fat have broght me to fis
But whethir goddes or woman she is
y-wis y note which pat je do me serve
But as her man y wil ay lyve and sterve
(62)
Je stondyn yn her eyen myghtily
As in a place vn to jour vertue digne
wherfor lord if my servise or y
May likyn jow so betfe to me benigne
For myn astate rial here y resigne
In to her houd & with wel humble chere
By come her man as to my lady dere
ItelTT]
407
410
413
414
417
420
421
424
427
428
431
434
17
Boccaccio's filostrato, book i.
Chaucer's troylus axd cryseydk, book i. 17
(40)
313 Spared not the royal blood
317 The burning love-flames ;
314 Nor virtue nor greatness of soul,
316 Nor prowess;
319 But, catching the new lover,
320 Burned his every part.
(41)
321 So much more from day to day, with thinking
322 And with the pleasure thereof, did he now purvey
323 The dry fuel within his proud heart,
324 And from the beautiful eyes he imagined he drew
325 Sweet water for his severe burning :
326 Wherefore he cunningly sought
327 Many times to see them, nor perceived
328 That all the more by them was the fire lit up.
(42)
332 Day and night, and in all directions,
333 He always went thinking of Chryseis ;
334 And ** Her excellence and delicate face,''
335 He said, " surpass Polyxena
336 In every beauty, and Helen likewise."
(43)
337 Nor did any hour of the day pass by
338 But that he said to himself a thousand times :
339 " O bright light that enamours my heart,
340 beautiful Chryseis, would to God
341 That thine excellence, which discolours my face,
342 Would move thee a whit to pity of me !
343 None other but thou can make mc glad."
(63)
If hym ne deynyd spare blood riaH
The fere of* wherfro God me blesse
Ne hym forbare in no degree for att
his vertu or his excellent prowesse
But held hym as )>ral low in distres
And brent hym in sundry wyse so newe
That syxty tyme a day he lost his hewe
(64)
So mych day fro day his own thogllt
For list to her gan quykyn and encrece
That enery other charge he set at nog&t
For-thy fid oft his hoot fere to sece
To se her goodly look* J)an gan he prece
For fer by to be esyd wele he wende
And ay f e nor he was pe more he brende
(65)
For euere ner pe fei'e ]>e hatter he is
This troupe knowith al jiis cumpanye
But were he ferre or nere y dare sey this
By night or day by wysdom or folye
his hert which p&t is his brestis eye
was eudre on her j^at fairer was to sone
Than were Eleyne or Polixene
(66)
Eke of )>e day per passyd not an hour
That to hym self a .Mt. tyme he seyd
God goodly to whom serve y labour
As y best can now wold god Cryseyd
Je wold on me rewe or fat y deyd
My dere heii; alas myn hele and hewe
A I my lyst is lost but ^e on me rewe
435
438
441
442 .
445
448
449
452
455
lleqf7,baac} 456
459
462
TROTLUB.
18
BOCCACCIO S FILOSTRATO, BOOK I.
CUAUCER8 THOYLUS AND CRYSEYDEy BOOK I.
18
(44)
345 Every other thought had fled away —
346 Of the great war and of his own well-being ; i*
347 And in his breast was heard only
348 That one.
350 Solely to cure the love-wounds
351 "Was he concerned.
(46)
353 The hard battles and dire assaults
354 That Hector and his other brethren made,
355 Followed by the Trojans, from his amorous thoughts
356 Little or nothing moved him ;
357 Although often, in the most perilous
358 Assaults, him before the others they saw
359 Work marvellously in arms.
(46)
361 Nor to this did hate of the Greeks move him,
362 Nor desire that he had of victory
363 To free Troy ;
364 But longing for glory,
365 That he might be the more acceptable, caused all this.
367 He became so fierce and strong in arms
368 That the Greeks dreaded him like death.
(47)
369 Love had already taken sleep from him,
370 And diminished his food, and so multiplied his
musings
371 That already in his countenance
372 Pallor gave evident sign thereof.
[Yet he put a smiling face on his distresses ; and by-
standers attributed these to his anxiety concerning the war.]
' " Salute." Chaucer's rendering, " sauacion/* would seem to
mean '* salvation " in the ecclesiastical sense, and so does " salute "
ooDBtanUy ; but not, I think, in the present instance— rather (in the
(67)
Al ofir dedes weryn fro hym fled
Bothe of the sege and his sauaciofi
Ne in his desire non of tV fantasye bred
But argumentis to this conclusiofi
That she on hym wold have passioil
And he to be her man whil ]>at he may dure
lo here his lyf & from J)e delyt his cure
(68)
The sharp shourys fil of* armes prone
That Ector or his brethyryn dedyn
Ne made hym onys J)erfor morne
And yet was he wher so men went or ridyn
Found one J>e best & lengest to abydyn
Ther peril was and dede eche such travaile
In armys that to thenk it is mervaile
(69)
Bvt for non hate he to )>e grekys had
Ne also for J>e rescous of* the toun
Ne made hywi fus in armes for to mad
But only lo for tliis conclusioz^n
To likyn her J)e betre for his renoun
Fro day to day in armys so he sped
That al ])e grekis as j^e deth hym dred
(70)
pAnd fro f is forth Jk) reft hym loue his slepe
And made his mete his fo and ek his sorwe
gan multiplye that who so toke keepe
It shewed in his hewe bofo eue and morwe
Jjer-fore a title he gan him for to borwe
Of ofer siknesse / lest men of him wende
J?at fe bote fir of loue him brende ^J
463
466
469
470
473
476
477
480
483
484
487
490
direct sense of the wgrd) " well-being, health."
« IFrom MS. Harl 2280, Uaf 6, hack. Not in Harl MS,
3943.]
1^
BOOCACCIOS FILOSTRATOy BOOK I.
CHAUCBR8 TROYLUS AND CRYSEYDE, BOOK I.
19
(48)
377 And which it was is not quite certain to lis —
378 Whether Chryseis perceiyed it not,
380 Or dissembled the knowing it :
381 But this is very clear and manifest,
382 That she seemed to care nothing
383 For Troilus or for the love he bore her.
(49)
385 Hence did Troilus feel such woe
386 That it could not be told ; sometimes fearing
387 That Chryseis might be taken by another love,
388 And, on account of that despising him,
389 Would not receive him as her servant ; —
390 Scheming in himself full a thousand methods,
391 If he can see to make her feel
392 Honourably his hot desire.
(50)
393 So, whenever he had any space,
394 He went lamenting to himself of love,
395 Saying inwardly : " Troilus, now art thou caught,
396 Thou that wast wont to jeer at others.
397 "None of them was ever so consumed as thou, [scorn
399 Now art thou taken in the snare which thou didst so
400 In others, and hast not warded off from thyself.
(51)
401 '^ What will be said of thee among other lovers,
402 Were this thy love known ?
403 They will all jeer at thee, [discretion
404 Saying among themselves : ' Here now is the man of
405-6 Who used to be biting against our sighs and amorous
407 Be Love praised for it, [plaints :
408 Who has now brought him to such a pass ! *
(71)
And seyd he had a hnere & ferd a mys 491
But how it was certeyn y can not sey
If |)at his lady vndirstode notr this
Or feynyd her she one or twey 494
But wele rede y fat by no manure wey
Ne semyd hit as she of hit roght
Or of* his peyne or what so ewere he Jjoght 497
(72)
But than felte TroUuS SUche wo Ife^i^iHtkelatekaHdoffmim] 498
fat was welnygh woode / for all his drede
was this fat she hym had in love so
That of< hym she wolde haue taken hede 501
For that hym thought he felte his hert blede
l^G of* his wo ne durst he nat begynne
To teH her for aH this worlde to wynne 604
(73)
But whan he a space frome his care
thus to hym silf fuH offfce he ganne compleyn
And saide foole now arte pOM in the snare
that somtyme lapedist at lovers peyn
Now arte fou hent now gnowe thyn o\ni cheyn
Thow euer wer^ wonte eche lovei* repr^hcnde
Of thing frome which pon canst f e nat diffende
(74)
What will now eueryche louere say of* the
If* this be wist but euer in thyn absence
laugh in skome and say now thei' goth he
That is the man of so grete sapience
and helde us lovers lesto in Beuerence
now thankid be god he may go in the dawnce
Of them fat love list febly to Auaunce
505
508
511
512
515
518
20
Boccaccio's filostrato, book i.
Chaucer's troylus and crysetdb, book i.
20
(53)
409 " And wert thou now, O woful Troilus,
410 Since it was fixed that love thou must,
411 Captived hy one who but a little only
412 Should feel of love, that thou be comforted 1
413 But she thou weepestfor
414 Stands thus,
415 Cold as ice freezes in the open air,
416 And I like snow at the fire dissolve !
(54)
425 " And were I now but arrived at the port
426 To which my ill-fortune carries me 1
427 This would be to me grace and great comfort,
428 For, dying, I should bo rid of all pain.
429 Biit, if my trouble, which no one has noticed
430 As yet — if it be discovered — full
431 Will my life be of a thousand scorns a day,
432 And I shall be called crazier than any.
(55)
433 " Oh help me. Love ! And thou for whom
434 I weep, caught more than ever any,
435 Oh be pitiful a little to him
436 Who loves thee far better than his life !
437 Turn now thy beautiful face towards him !
440 Oh deny me not this grace ! "
(75)
But thow wofuM: Troylus god wolde 519
SitH thou must love thorugh thy Destyne
That besett on suche one ^at shulde
Knowe cdi thy woo all lakkid hir pitee 522
but as colde in love towards the
Thy bodie is as froste in wyntris moone
And thou fordone as froste in snow soone f / •^ /r 525
(76)
God wolde I were arryued in the porte 526
Of Deth to which my sorow witt me ledo
lorde to me it were a grct comforte
Than were I quytt of* all languysshyng in drede 529
for be my hid sorowe y-blowen in brede
1 shall: lapid ben a thousande tyme
more than he of whos foly men Eyme 532
(77)
But now helpe God and ye swete for whome iiMffi,haek}
I pleyn taught ye neuer wighte so fast
mercy dere herte & helpe me froiae
the deth for I will while ])at my liff> may last 536
more than my silf* will love you in last
And witll som frendly looke gladith me swete
Yeve neuei' no thyng moi' ye me behete 539
(57)
449 Then said he many other words,
450 He wept and sighed, and her name
451 He called.
454 To her
455 None of it reached : whence his torment
456 Multiplied every day a hundredfold.
(78)
These wordis and fuH many other mo
he spak* & clepid euer in his compleynte
Cnsseide for to telle hir his woo
TiH nygh that he in salte teris dreynte
AH was for nought she herde nat his compleynt
And whan fat he bithought hym of* this foly
A thowsande fowlde his sorowe gan multiply
540
543
546
I
21
Boccaccio's filostrato, book ii.
Chaucer's tboylus aj^d cMYSErDs, book i. 21
BOOK IL STANZA 1.
1 Troilos being in this wise one day alone,
2 Pensive in his chamber,
3 There came in a young man of Troy : ^
5 Who, seeing him on his bed
6 Lying at length and all in tears,
T "What is this," he cried, "dear friend?
8 Has the bitter time already so vanqnished thee f "
' Boccaooio here adds ''of high lineage and very valiant ; " but
does not for the moment give the name of Pandarus — it appears in
the reply of Troilus,
(IL 2)
9 ''Pandarus,** said Troilus, ''what fortune
10 Has brought thee hither to see me die f
11 If our friendship has any strength,
12 Be pleased to depart hence ;
13 For I know that painful more than any other
14 Thing it will be to thee to see me die :
15 And I am not to remain any longer in life.
(79)
BEwaillyng thus in his chambre allone | 547
A frende of* his ]>at clepid was Pandare
Cam in vnware & herde hym thus grone
And sawe his frende in suche distres & care 550
Alias qttod he who causitli all this fare
mercy god what Tnhapp may this mene
have now so soone Grekis made you lene 553
(80)
Or hast pon som Remors of* conscience 554
And ertf now fallen in some Devocioun
And wailist for thi synne and thyn offence
And hast for ferde caught attricioun 557
god saue them fat haue besiegid oui' toun
And so can lay oui' lolytee in presse
And bryng ot^r lusty folke in to holynesse 560
(81)
Thes wordis saide he for ^e nonys alle 561
that -with som thyng he myght hym Angry make
And with an Angre to do sorow taXLe
As for the tyme and his courage wake 564
But wel wist he as ferrd tunge^ spake
Thei' nas a man of gretter hardynesse
than he nei' more desired worthynesse 567
(82)
What cas quod Troylus what auenture ^'*ti*J?I^i^ ^^8
hath gydid the to se my langwysshyng*
That am refusid of* euery creature
But for J)e love of* god at my praying* 571
(jo hens a wey for certis my deying*
Wole pQ dissese and y mote nedis dey
Therfor go hens ther is no more to sey. 574
22
BOCCACCIO 8 FILOSTRATOy BOOK II.
Chaucer's troylus and crysevde, book t.
22
(11. 3)
17 " Nor think thou that Troy besieged,
18 Or travail of arms, or any fear,
19 Is cause of my present distress :
20 This is my least care among others.
21 Something else constrains me to long even to die,
22 Whence I lament my misery.
23 What this may be, friend, concern not thyself;
24 For I keep it unspoken for the best, and tell thee
not of it."
(II. 4)
25 The pity of Pandarus then increased.
27 Wherefore he continued : " If our friendship,
28 As was wont, is now a pleasure to thee,
29 Discover to me what is the cruelty ^
30 Which makes thee so wishful to die :
31 For it is not a friend's act to keep aught
32 Hidden from his friend.
(II. 5)
33 " I will share with thee these sorrows,
34 K I cannot give comfort to thy distress ; *
35 Because it is right with a friend
36 To share everything, distress and gladness :
37 And I think thou knowest well
38 Whether I have loved thee, through right and wrong."
(II. 6)
41 Troilus heaved then a great sigh,
42 And said : " Pandarus, since thou art fain
43 Yet to hear my pangs,
44 I will tell thee briefly what undoes me :
45 Not that I hope that to my desire
46 Any end or quiet may be set by thee,
47 But solely to satisfy thy great beseeching,
48 Whereto I know not how I should give a denial.
(83)
Bvt if* thow wene y be pna sike for drede
hit is not so and therfor scome me not
Ther is a nofir thing* y take of hede
Mor fan oght the grekys han yet wroght
which cause is of* my deth for sorow & ]>oght
But )>ogh y tel hit not the now at leest
Be thow not Avroth y hide hit for the best
(84)
Pandare that ny malt for wo & rouf e
fful oft seyd alas what may J^is be
Now frend quod he if euere love or trouthe
hath bene or is bytwix the and me
Ne do thow neuer such a cruelte
To hyde fro f i frend so grete a care
Wost J)ow not wele fat it am y pandare
(85)
I wil partyn with fe al thy peyne
If hit be so y do the eny comfort
As is frendis right for to seyne
To entrepaHyn wo as gladly a» disport
I have and shal for trew or fals report
In wrong & right y lovid fe al my lyve
hyde not fro me thy woo but telle it blyve
(86)
Tho gan fis sorowful Troylus to syke
And seyd hym fus god leve it be my best
To telle hit fe seth it may the like
yet wole y tel it fe or fat myn hert to-brest
And wele wote y f ow may do me no rest
But lest f ow deme y trust not to the
Now herk frend for fus hit stant with me
575
578
581
582
585
588
589
592
595
596
599
602
' Note the difference in the tarn of the sentence, as adapted by
Chaucer.
* And here again.
23
BOCCACCIO 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
CHAUC£R'S TBOYLUS and CRYSEYDEy BOOK I.
23
(11. 7)
49 '' Love, against whicli he who strives
50 Is the sooner taken, and he struggles in vain,
51 So kindles my heart with a lovely face
52 That, for that, I have put far from mo
53 Every other ; and this so much perturbs me
54 (As thou mayst see) that hardly
55 Have I a thousand times withheld my hand
56 From taking away my life.
(ir. 8)
57 " Let it suffice thee, my dear friend,
58 To hear this of my sorrows, which never
59 Before did I reveal : and I implore thee by God
61 That thou discover not this desire to others,
62 For great annoy might thence ensue to mc.
63 Thou knowest what thou didst wish : go, and leave
64 Me here to battle with my woe."
(II. 9)
65 " Oh ! " said Pandarus, " how couldst thou
66 So long keep such a fire hidden from me 1
67 For I would have given thee counsel or aid,
68 And found out some means for thy repose."
69 To whom said Troilus : " How
70 Should I have had it from thee? For I have always
seen thee wobegone [therefrom :
71 For love, and thou know'st not how to help thyself
72 How then dost thou think to content mc 1 "
(IL 10)
73 Pandarus said : "Troilus, I acknowledge
74 That thou sayst the truth. But it often happens
75 That he who knows not to protect himself from the
poison
76 Can by good counsel keep others safe :
77 And the blear-eyed has ere now been seen to go
78 Where the clear-sighted goes not well : "
79 And, though a man may not adopt good counsel,
80 He may be able to give it in others' peril.
(87)
Love a-yens ])e which ho so ofifendith [Uaf^^baoc] 603
hym self< moost altherlest availlet^
which dispair so sorowfully me ofifendith
That streight vn to |)e deth myn hert sailleth 606
Therto desire so brennyng* massailith
That to be sleyn hit were a gretter ioy
To me pan kyng* to be of grece and troy 609
(88)
Svffiseth this my ful &end Pandare 610
That y have seyd for now wost fou my wo
And for Jje love of* god the cold care
So hide it wele y told it neuer to mo 613
ffor harmys might folowyn mo J)an two
If it were wist but be J)ow in gladnes
And lete me sterve vnknow of* my distres 616
(89)
How hast pou j^us vnkyndelich and longe 617
hid this fro me fow fole qz/^d Pandarus
P0rauent2/;'e )70w mayst aftir such on longe
That myn avys anon may helpyn vs 620
This were a wondur J? ing qz^od Troylus
pow coudist neue/*e yn love fi self* wisse
how devil mayst fou pa?* bring* me to blys 623
(90)
3e Troillus herk* me qwod Pandare 624
Thogh I be nys hit happith oftyn so
That one pat excesse doth ful evil fare
By good counceil can kepe his frend p<?r fro 627
I have my self* sene a blynd man go
Ther as he fellc that loke cowd wyde
A fole may okc a wyse man oft gyde 630
24
BOCCACOIO S FILOSTBATO, BOOK IX«
CHAUCSB*S TROYLUS AND CRTSEYDK, BOOK I. 2i
(.
c r
(II. 11)
81 ^* I have loved with evil fortune.
[' My unrequited love still endures ; I am so unlucky
in it because I did not — as you have done — ^keep it secret.']
(91)
A wheston is no kervyng* instniment 631
But hit makit& sharp kervyng toles
And )>at fou wost y have oght myswent
Eschew l^ow \a\» for such |)ing* to J^e scole is 634
Thus oght wyse men be ware by folis
If* fow so do f i wit \& wele by-waryd
By his contrarie is eue?y thing declarid 637
(92)
For how myght eue^-e swetnes have be know \}^ lo] 638
To hym ))at neu^re tastyd bittemes
Ne no man wote what gladnes is y trow
That neuere was yn sorow ne distres 641
Eke white by blak* shame by worthines
Eche set by o))er more for oj^er semitlL
As men may se so thes clerkis demitli 644
(93)
Beth l^is of two contraries is a lore 645
That y have in love so ofb assayed
Greuaunces me oght to know wel ))e more
Counceyllyn |>e of ^at ))ou art dysmayed 648
And eke ))ow oghtist not ben evil a-payed
Thogh y desire with fe for to here
Thin hevy charge hit shall \q lesse dere 651
(94)
Y wote wel |yat it farith )>us by me 652
As to thi brofere Parys an hyedesse
which J)at y-clepid was Tynome
wrote y a complejTit of her hevynes 655
)e sey ))e lettre that she wrote y gesse
Nay neuer yet quod Troylus
No q2M>d Pandare herkenith it was ))U8 658
25
Boccaccio's filostrato, book ii.
Chaucer's tkoylus axd cRYSKYDEy book i. 24
(II. 13)
103 '' And I, aa thou knowest, against my will
104 Love, nor can my sorrow be diminished nor increcuicd.
(II. 11)
87 " Nor shall there ever be
88 Any to know what may be told me by thee.
(II. 12)
89 " Therefore, my friend, feel sure
90 Of me, and tell me who is cause to thee
91 Of this so distressful and hard life ;
92 Nor ever be in fear of my reprehending
93 Love; for
95 Love cannot be reft from the heart,
96 Unless for lohg while uuknit, of itself.
(95)
Pheb?/* that furst fouudowr art of" medicine 659
Qaod she & couth in euery wightis care
Ilemedy & redo by herbes he knew fyne
Yett to hym self* his cunnyng* was ful bare 662
ffor love hym had Ijoundyn in a snare
Al for fe doghtir of kyjig* Amete
fat his craft ne cowd his sorowis bet 665
(9C)
Right so fare y vnhappy for me 666
I love one best & |yat me smertith sore
And yet p^-atintre can y redyn the
And not my self" reprove )>ow me nomore 669
I have no cause y wote wele to sore
As doth an hawk fat listith for to pley
But to J)i help yet sumwhat can y sey 672
(97)
And of* o thing' right sikir mayst f ow be ittaf lo, baeH] 673
That certeyn for to deyen in the peyne
That y shal neue7'more discouere the
Ne be my troufe y kepe not restreyne 676
The frowi thy love Jjogh it were Eleyne
fat is f y brofcris wyf« fogh fat y wist
15o what she be and love her as fe lyst 679
(98)
Thcrfor as frend fidly y me assure
And tel me plat what is thencheson
And final cause of" wo fat fow endure
(for doutith no thing* myn intencion
Nis not to yow of* reprehencion
To spekc now seth no wight may byreve
A man to love til that hym lest byleve
680
683
686
TROYLUS.
26
BOG0AGC1O6 FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
CHAUCBBS TBOYLUS AND CRYSEYDXf BOOK L
26
(II. 13)
97 " Leave thine anguish, leave sighing,
98 And by speaking mitigate the pain :
99 Thus doing, the pangs pass off.
(99)
And wytith wele that both to be vices
Mistrowyn aH or eUis al to leve
But wele y wote the mene no vice is
Ifor to trust sum wight is a preve
Of* troufe & for J)i wold y fayn remeve
Thy wrong* conceyte & do \>e s\im Mright trist
Thy wo to tel to me if* the lyst
(100) •
The wise seith wo is hym |>at is alone
ifor and he fal he liath non help to rise
And seth |>ou hast a felaw tel |>i mone
ifor this certein is not j^e next wise
To wynnyrj love as techyn vs fe wysc
To walwe and wepe as dede Neobc j>e qwcne
whos tens j^et in fe marble bene ysene
(101)
Let be |ji wepyng & pi drerinesso
And lete vs lessyn wo \np oper s^x^che
So may I>i woful tyme seme lesse
Delite not in wo thy wo to seche
As done j>es folis that so row sechc
with sorow whan they have misauewture
And list not to seche licm ofir cure
687
690
693
694
697
700
701
704
707
100 "And the burning also diminishes much
101 When he that is a lover
102 Sees com|)anion8 to himself in the like desires.'*
(102)
Men seyn to wrecclie is consolacioil
To have a noper felaw in his payne
That oglit be wele our opyniofi
ifor boj>e J)ow and I of love we pleyn
So ful of* sorow am y J)c sofe to seyn
That certoynly no more hard grace
May sit on me for why per is no space
C/«ViO
708
711
714
2.7
B)CCACCI0'8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK ".
CHAUCERS TliOYLUS AND CRYSEYDB, BOOK T.
27
(TI. 15)
121 Troilus remained for aAvhile in suspense.
[He confesses that the lady he loves is a relative of
Pandarus. Shamefaced and overcome, he falls back on the
bed, hiding lus countenance.]
(103)
A god wil ]>ou art not agast of me
lest y wold f e of pi lady begile
Thow wost pi self whom pat y love parde
As y best can seth gone long while
And seth )>ow wost y do it for no wyle
And seyst y am he ]}ow tristist most
Tel me sum what seth fat my wo pon wost
(104)
Jet Troylus for al f is no word seyd
But long he lay stil as he dede were
And aftir J>is with sighyng* he vpbrayd
And to Pandaris vois he bent his ere
And vp his eyen cast he J)at in fere
was Pandanis lest pot in frenesie
he shold falle or ellis sone die
(105)
And cried a-wake ful wondurly & sharpa
what slumbrist ]>ow as yn a litargie
Or arte fow lyk* an asse vn to an harp«
That herith soun whan men on strengis pley
But in his mynd of* fat no melody
May 8ynk}Ti in to gladyn for fat he
So dul is in his bestialite
(106)
And with fis Pandare of* his woordis stynt
And Troyhis no thing* 3et hym answerd
ffor why to teUyn was not his entent
To no man for why fat he so ferd
ffor hit is seyd men makyn oft a yerd
with which f e maker is hyw self" ybetyn
In sundry maner as f es wise men tretyn
715
718
721
722
725
728
729
732
735
736
739
742
28
BOCCAOCIOS FILOSTRATO, ROOK IT.
CHAUCER 8 TBOTLUS AND CRYSKYDE, BOOK I.
28
(107)
And namely in his counceil telljng* iiM/u,baek} 743
That touchith love pat og&t to he secre
ffor of" hywi self" it wole y now out spring*
But if hit fe het gouemyd he 746
Eke it is craft some tyme to seme sle ^ V M«]
ifor thy with* yn effect men huntith fast [■/«» «# ji<r irtwi]
Al this in hert gan Troylus cast. 749
(108)
But natheles whaw he had herd hv7?J crie
Awake he gan sighyn wondur sore
And Boyd frend fogh fat y stil lye
I am not defe now pees & crye no more
ifor y have herd fi wordis A thi lore
But lete me myn infortiino waylyn ^
ifor thy p7*ouerhis may not me avaylyii \
(109)
Ho othir cure canst fow for nie
Eke y nel he curyd y wol dye
what know y of* j?e qwene Xool)e
let he fin old ensaumplis y fe prey
Xay qjiod Pandare therfor y sey
Such is delite of* folis to he-wepe
Her wo but seche bote fei ne kepe
(110)
Now know V that i-esoii) in the faillitli
But telle me if y wiwt what she were
ffor who??i fat al fis mysaue^iture aylith
Trist fow fat y told it in her ere
Thy wo seth f ow darst not f i self* for fere
And her hysoght on fe to have sowme rouf e
why nay q<<od he by god & by my tronfe
750
53
'56
757
766
7G3
7C4
767
770
29
BOCCACCIO 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK 11.
CKACCKRS TROYLUS AND CRYSEYDE, BOOK I.
29
(HI)
What not as bysily q//od Pandarus
As J)ogfi myn owne lyf* lay on fis nede
why no prt7'de sir qwod Troylus
And why for pat J>ow sholdist nou^re spcde
wost few fat wel / fe fat is out of* drede
Quod Troy his for al fat eucre ye conne
She wole' to no such wrecch as y be won
(112)
0?/od Pandarus alas what may f is be [/m/ ui
That fow despayrid art thus causeles
what liueth not f i lady benedicite
how wost f ow so fat f ow art graceles
Such evil is not al wey boteles
why put not f us impossible thi cure
Such thing* to come is oft in auenture
(113)
I graunt wcle fat fow endurist wo
As sharp as doth the Sicii)hus in helle
whos stomake foulis tyrin euermo
That hightyn vulturus as bokis telle
But y may not endure that fow duello
In so vnskilful an opiniotiu
That of f i wo is no curacio^/n
(114)
But ones nelt fow for f i coward hert
And for thin yre and folisshe wilfulnes
And wantrowist to telle of f i sorowis smert
Ne to thyn owne help do bysines
As mych as speke o word more or lease
But lyest as he that lyst of* no f ing recche
what woman coud love such a wrecehe
771
774
trT
777
778
781
784
785
788
791
792
795
798
30
BOCCACCIO S F/lOSTRATOy BOOK II.
Chaucer's troylus and crysetpr, book u
30
(115)
What may she demyu oper of tlii dc-the
If ^w thus dy and she note whi it is
But J)at for fere isyoldyn vp thi brethe
ffor grekis have bysegid vs y-wis
lord such a thong ))an poxx shalt have for pia
pus shul we seyn and al }>e toun at onis
The wrecche is dede the devil have his bonis
'oa
802
105
(116)
j5ou mayst alone here wepe knele & cry 806
But love a woman that she wote it noght
And she wole qwyte hit fat poxi shalt not fele
vnknow A'^nkyst & lost fat is vnsoght 809
what meny a man hath love ful dcre a-boglit
Twenty wyntir fat his la<iy wist
p&t neuer yet his lady mouth he kyst 812
(117)
What shold he j)<??'for hym self* dispeire 'jea/ u, hack} 813
Or be recreaunt of* his owne tene
Or sle hym self* albe his lady feire
Nay nay but ener\i in one be fresshe & grene 816
To serve and loue his dere hertis qwene
And thenk it is a guerdon her to serve
A Mt fold more fan he can deserue 819
(118)
And of that wonl toke heed Troylus 820
Antl foght a-none what foly he was yn
And how that sothe hym seyd Pandarus
J3at for to sle hym self* myght he not wyn 823
But done vnmanhode and svn
1.
And of* his dethe his lady not to wyte
flfor of his wo god wote she knew but lyte 826
51
BOCCACCIO f» FILOSTRATO, BOOK 11.
CHAUCBRS TROYLUS AND CRYSBYDE, BOOK I.
31
(119)
Alul with, pat po^tit he gan ful eore to sike
And scyd alas what is me best to do
To whom Pandaie answerd if* the like
The best is |)at ^w telle me thi woo
And haue my trou))e but if \>ow fynd it so
I be thi bote or }>at it be ful long*
I'o pecis do me drawe & sethyn hong*
(120)
To so seist )>ow qtiod Troylus po alas
But god wote it is not pe rathir so
li'ul hard were it to helpyn in )>is cas
ffor wele fynd y fat fortune is my fo
>[e al the men that ride kun or go
May of* her cruel wil fe liarme withstond
ffor as her lyst she ])leytli wif frc & bond
(121)
Quod Paudarus pan blamyst }>c;u fortune
ffor j)ow art w^rothe now at J>e ferst y se
wost pou not wele that fortune is coniune
To eu^y mane/'e wight in some degre
And ))ow hast discomfort lo parde
That is her ic\yes niotyn ouergone
So mote her soi-owes passyn euerichonc
(122)
For if her whele stynt eny fing to turne
ITiat sesid fortune for to be
Now such wele by no wey may soiourne
what wost pow if* her mutabylite
Kight as thy self* lest wil do by the
< )r fat she be not fer fro thy helpyng*
l*erauntur fow hast cause for to syng*
827
830
833
831
837
840
841
841
847
C/«(^is] 848
801
854
32
Boccaccio's filostrato, book ii.
Chaucer's troylus Ayjy- cryseyde, book i.
32
' (1. 168) " Valore " — which might with equal verbal accuracy
bo translated "worth" or "valour." I think "high spirit" ex-
presses the general oonoeption fairl}' ; but it is not alwaytj, in such
cases, easy to decide.
(II. 16)
127 " If she whom thou lovest were mv sister^
128 Thou shalt, to my ability, have thy pleasure of her.
(II. 17)
129 " Rise up : tell me — tell who is tliis :
130 Tell it me fast, so that I may see a way
131 To thy comforting.''
[II. 17. * Is the lady an inmate of my own house? If
she is the one I am thinking of, I suspect you will be con-
soled within a week.' Troilus still remains bowed down with
shame, but at last prepares to speak. lie says that love
has no regard of persons : it has even been seen that
brothers have loved their sisters — sisters their brothers —
daughters their fathers — daughters-in-law their fathers-in-
law — stepmothers their stepsons.]
(II. 20)
157 " Love — and this grieves me much —
168 Has possessed me for thy cousin,
169 I say for Chryseis." And, having said this,
160 Weeping he feE prostrate on the bed.
(II. 21)
161 "When Pandarus heard her named,
162 He said thus laughing: " My friend,
163 I pray thee by God, be not disconsolate.
164 Love has there bestowed thy desire
165 Than where he could not have allotted it better :
166 For she in truth is worth it, if I
167 Understand character, or greatness
168 Of soul, or high spirit,* or beauty.
.(123)
And J)erfor wost pou what y the bysecho
lete be pi woo A tumyng* to fe ground
ifor who so lyst have helyng^ of* his lechc
To hym byhouith ferst vnwry his wound
To Cerberus yn heH ay be y bound
wer it my sustir for wham fou makist pis sorow
By my wil she shold be J>in to morow
(124)
Loke vp y sey telle me what she is
Anone fat y may go about thy nede .
Know y oght her for my love teH me pis
Than wold y hope pe rathir for to spede
Than gan pe vayne of troylus to blede
ffor he was hit & wax al rede for shame
A ha quod Pandare here byginnith a game
(125)
And with pat word he gan hym for to shake
And seid thef* f ow slialt her name telle
But J)o gan sely Troylus for to quake
And ])ogh men shold have led hym to helle
And seyd alas of al my wo the welle
Than is my swetc fo callyd Cryseyd
And wel ny with pe word for fere he dcyd
(126)
And whan pat Pandare herd her name neuene
Tho was he glad and seyd frend so dere
Now fare a right for lovis name in hevene
love hath byset pe wele be of good chere
ifor of* good name wysdom t^ manere
She hath y-now and eke of* gentilnesse
If she be fair pon wost f i self y gesse
855
858
861
862
865
868
869
872
875
876
879
882
33
BOCCACCIO 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
CIIAUCEBS TROYLUS AND CBYSSYDE, BOOK I.
33
(U. 22)
169 " No woman was ever more higlnspirited,^
170 Kone was more cheerful and better-spoken,
171 None more attractive nor more gracious,
172 None of greater soul, among as many
173 As ever lived : nor is there any so lofby a thing
174 That she would not undertake as far forth
175 As any king.
[II., St. 23, 1. 1. ** ' One only thing, beyond the afore-
said, has my cousin, that may be somewhat contrary to
thee : she is the correctest of women [piu die altra donna
otiesta], and the one who most looks down upon love. But,
if this is our only obstacle, believe me, I, with my sugared
words [parolette], will so deal with it as to content thee.]
* << Va1oro«a ; '* I do not think it at all indicates <' bounteaouse
of faer astate," as rendered oy Chaucer.
(127)
Ke y neuere saw a more bounteuouse Li^ is, badt^ 883
Of* her astate ne glader of speche
A frendlier ne a more graciouse
ffor to do wele ne lasse had ncde to seche 88 G
what for to done and al this bet to eche
In honour to asfere as she may strecche
A kyngis hert semith by her a wrecche 889
(128)
And for J^i loke of* good comfort povf bo 890
ffor certeinly the ferst poynt is this
Of noble corage and wele ordeyne
A man to have pees wi^ hjm self y-wis 893
So oghtist thow for good it is
To love wele and in worthy place
The oght not to clepe hit hap but grace 896
(129)
And also thenk* and perwif glade the
That seth fi lady vertuous is al
So folowith hit pat fer isjome pito
Almong al the opet* veHus in special 900
And for-thy se fat fow in special \
Kequere not ))at is a-jens her name
ffor vertu strccchith not hym self* to shame 903
•
(130)
Bvt wele is me fat eu«re y was bom 904
That fow byset art in so good a place
ffor be my trouthe in love y durst have sworn
The shold neuer betyd so fair a grace 907
And wost fow why for po\i were wont to chace
At love in scome A for despyt hyjn calle
Seynt Idiote lord of* fes folis alle 910
'''•
^«<
^.
%.
897
TU0YLU8.
34
BOCCACGIOS FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
CHAUCEBB TBOYLUS AND CRYSEYDE, BOOK I.
34
(131)
How oft hast po\x made pi nice iapis
And scyd ])at loves s^mauntis euerychon
Of nycete be verrey goddis apys
And some wold monche her brede alon
lying' in bed and make hem for to grone
And some ])ow seydist had a blannch feuere
And praydist god he shold neue7*e keuere
(132)
And some of hem toke on hem for the cold
More fan y-now so seydist f ou ful oft
And some have feynid oft tyme & told
how pel wake whan her love slepe soft
And pxxa pei have broght hem self* a loft
And najteles were vndur at the last
Thus seydist povr and ympedist ful fast
(133)
3et seydist pon that for the more part
Thes faytours wold speche in generaU
And |)oghtyn )yat it was a sikir art
flfor faillyng* for cesyng* ouer al
Now may y iape of* pe if fat y shal
But natheles if* that y shold dye
pat now poll art none of J>o y durst sey
(134)
Now bete fi brest & sey to god of* love
Thi grace lord for now y me repent
If y mispak* for y my self* y love
Thus sey wif al fin hert in good entent
Quod Troylus a lord y me consent
An pray to f e my iapis to forjxve
And y shal eue?*more whil fat y lyvo
911
914
917
L<e«^u] 918
921
924
9J5
928
931
932
935
938
35
BOCCACCIO S FIJJOSTRATOj BOOK 11.
CHAUCER*S TROYLUS AND CRTSEYDB, BOOK I.
35
(135)
Thow seist wele quod Pandaie & now j hope 939
That pou the goddis wrothe hast al apesid
And seth pou hast wept meny a drope
And seid sucti ]>mg wi]> whicH pi god is plesid 942
Now wold god neuere but J)Ow were esyd
& penk* wel she of whom rist al thy wo
here aftir may thy comfort be also 945
(136)
For thilk* ground ))at berith fe wedis wyk* 946
Berith eke yea holsom herbis & ful oft
Kezt pe foul nettle roghe and thik*
The lilie wexitll white smothe & soft 949
And next pe valey is the hil a loft
And next the derk night ))e glad morow
And also ioy is next ])e fine of sorow 952
(137)
Kow loke ])at pon attempre be thy biidiU [2m^ i4» baeki 953
And for the best ay suffre to the tyde
Or elhs alle our labour is on ydiH
he hastith wele ])at wisely can abyde 956
Be diligent & trew and alwey hide
Be lusty fre peiseuere in thy servise
And al is wele if* ]>ow work on ^is wise 959
(138)
But he pBt partyd is in euery place
Is nowher hool as writyn clerkys wyse
What wondir is ))ogh such on have no grace
Eke wost povL how it farith of love servise
As plante a tre or herbe in sundry wise
And on pe morow pul it up as blyve
No wondir is ))og& it may neuere thrive
960
963
966
30
BOCCACCIO 8 FIWSTRATO, BOOK II.
Chaucer's thoylus and cryseyde, book i.
3d
(II. 24)
185 " Thou majst well see therefore that Love has set thee
186 In a place worthy of thy desert :
187 Then stand fast in the deed proposed,
188 And have good hope of thy well-being, —
189 Which I think will soon ensue,
190 If thou with thy plaints refuse it not :
192 And I will employ herein all my wits.
[IL, st 24, 1. 7. " ' Thou art worthy of her, and she of
thee.
(II. 27)
209 " I think for certain that every woman, in wish,
210 Lives amorous.
\ ■/
IL, st. 25. " * Suppose not, Troilus, that I do not
clearly see that such amours are unbefitting to a lady of
character ; or that I am blind to what will be the result to
myself, and to her and hers, if such a thing ever reaches
the mouth of the vulgar ; a thing which, through our folly,
has become opprobrious, whereas it used to be true honour,
being done for love. But, seeing that desire is impeded
[iurn to p, 37, at top]
(IL 28)
219 "I can give the like comfort to both ;
218 I can please her, and both of you ;
217 Perceiving thee wise and discreet,
220 [And] since you will both have to keep it secret,
221 And it will be as though it were not"
(139)
And setfe god of* love hath pe bystowid
In place digne vn to thy worthines \ /
Stond fast for to good port J)ou hast rowydl
And of* thy self for eny hevines
hope alwcy wele for but if drennes
Or ouer hast our bothe labour shend
I hope of* this to make a rig&t good ende
(UO)
And wost pon why y am lasse aferid
Of fis matere with my nece to trete
For pis have y herd sey of old lerid
was neuere man ne woman yet bygete
pat was vnapt to suffre lovis hete i
Celestial or ellis love of* kynd \
For J)i some grace in her y hope to fynd
(141)
And for to speko of* her in special!
her bewte to bythenkyn & her 3outhe
hit sit her not to be celestial!
As jet/ fogh her bothe lest and couthe
But Troylus hit sat her wel right nouJ)e
A worthy knyght to love and cherice
And but she do y hold her but a vice -
(1*2)
J
Therefor y am & wole al day be redy / £i#qru]
To peyne me to do jow pis servise ,'
For bofe jow to plese this hope y
her-afbirwardis for ye be bothe wyse
And kun it counceil kepe in such wyse
J^at no man perot shal the wyser be
And so we may be gladyd al thre
967
970
973
974
977
980
981
984
987
988
i
991
994
37
BOCCACCIO 8 FILOSTnATOf BOOK II.
CHAUCER S TROYLUS AND CRYSEYDE, BOOK I.
37
*< -.
[continuation of II, st. 23^ on p, 36]
in action, and every like is not known,^ I think it may be
laid down that every lover is entitled to follow his lofty
longing, if only he bo prudent in deed and seeming —
without any shame to those whose shame and honour are
their own affairs.]
[II., St. 27, 1. 2. " * Nothing but fear of shame restrains
any woman ; and, if full medicine can without loss of
ci-edit be given to such a malady, foolish is she who does
not discard the fear, and I think the pain can*t hurt her
2nuch« My cousin is a widow, and she desiresj and, were
she to deny it,T would not believe her.*"]
' " Ma, percioocbd 1 disio s* h impedito
Air operare, e tutto Bim%UaDte
Non oonoaoiuto."
I am not dear as to the meaning of these lines, or the drift of
the argument of Pandarus. I rather understand him to mean :
" True love ought not to be thwarted, and congenial souls ought
not to be kept apart" An early instance of the philosophy of
^ Wahlverwandtschaften."
(II. 29)
225 Troilus hearkened to Pandarus, so contented
226 In his mind that he seemed to himself
227 Already well-nigh out of all his torment,
228 And was the more re-kindled in his love.
[II., St. 29, L 6-8. Troilus said : " ' I believe what thou
sayst of her ; but in my eyes the attempt seems too great. ^]
' ** Ma troppo ne par piik agli occhi raiei.'* Possibly the real
meaning is, '* But she is thereby all the more lofty, in my eyes.**
(II. 30)
233 " Yet how shall the fire wane
234 Which I bear within]
[II., st 30, L 2-3. " * I never saw that she was con-
scious of my love.]
237-8 " Through timidity with thee, she will condemn this
236 She will not believe it if thou sayest it [passion :
[" * And, even if she had it in her heart, yet, to seem
chaste in thine eyes,]
240 " She will not listen to thee."
(143)
And by my trouf e y have right now of the
A good conseyt in my wit as y gesse
And what it is y wil now J>at fow se
And thenk setb love of* his goodnes
hath J)e conuertid out of* wykkydnes
That ))ou shalt be the best post yleue
Of al his lay & most his foos greve
(144)
Ensample se now why pea grete clerkys
That are althermost a-yens the lawe
And be conuertid from her wikkid werkis
Thurgh grace of god ))at lest hem to hym drawe
They are the folk* that have most god in awe
And strengest feithid be y vndirstond
And kun an errour alj^ermost withstond
(145)
Whan Troillus had herd Pandare assentyd
To be his help in lovyng'of* Cryseyd
He wax of* his wo as who seip vnturmcT^tid
But hatter wax his love & J)an he seyd
With sobre chere al fogh his hert pleyd
Now blisful Venus now help or fat y sterve
Of fe Pandare y mow some ])onk deserve
#
(146)
Bvt dere frend how shal my wo be lease
Tul pis be done & eke now telle me this
how wilt fow seyn of me & my distresse
lest she be wrotR fis drede y most ywys
Or nel not here or trow how it is
Al ])is drede y and eke for the mane^-e
Of ))e her eem she nel no such ))ing here
995
998
1001
1002
1005
1008
1009
1012
1015
1016
1019
1022
78
B000A00I0 8 FlLOSTBATOf BOOR H.
chaucxr's tboylus and cryseyds, book I.
38
(II. 32)
209 ** Leave me to acl."
(11. 31)
241 "And, besides this, Pandarus, I should not wiuh
242 Thee to fancy that I desiie
243 From such a lady any dishonour." ^
[IL, St. 31, L 4. "'But I should only wish that she
might be pleased to let me love her : this would be to me
a sovereign grace, could I attain it. Ask for this, and
more I solicit not of thee.' '']
(II. 32)
249 To whom answered Pandarus laughing.
[II., si 32, 1. 3. ' I am an adept in love-affairs, and
have managed more difficult things in my time.']
255 " This labour shall all be mine,
256 And I will have the sweet end of it be thine.**
(II. 33)
257 Troilus lightly threw himself to the floor
258 From the bed, embracing and kissing him ;
259 Swearing afterwards that to conquer the Grecian war
260 In triumph woiild be nothing to him.
(147)
duod Pandanis }ou hast ful grete care [^^ is^ back} 1023
lest the cherl may fal out of the mone
Why lord y hate of" the J)i nice fare
why entremetist of pat pon hast not to done
For goddis love y bid pe a bone
let me alone it shal be for ^e best
wel frend quod he ]>an do right as fe lest
1026
1029
* **AicHn€i 9ilUmim*\ as in Cliauoer.
(148)
But herk* Pandare a woi;^ for y nold
That ])ow in me wendist so grete foly
That fow my lady desiryn shold
That towchid harm or vilany
For dredles me were lever to dy
Than she of me oght ellis vndirstode
But ]pat pat myght sownyn in to good
(149)
Tho logh Pandare and anon answerd
And y pi borow fy no wight doth but so
I roght not pogh ))at she stode and herd
how pat pGw seyst but fare wel y wil go
A deu. be glad god spedo vs bo))e to
Yef me this labour and this bysines
And of* my spede be thin al the swetnea
(150)
po Troillus gan doun on knees to falle
And Pandare in his armes hent fast
And seyd now fy on the grekis alld
Yet parde god shal euere help at last
And dredles if pai my lif* may last
And god to fore some of hem shal smert
^ ^et me athinkijp pia auatint me stert
1030
N
1033
103G
1037
1040
1043
1044
1047
1050
39
B0G0AC010 6 FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
CHAUCER S TBOYLUS AND CRYSEYDE, BOOK I.
39
262 " My Pandarus, I commend me to thee :
263 Thou wise, thou friendly — thou knowest all
264 That is needed to put an end to my sorrow."
(II. 34)
265 Pandarus, anxious to serve
266 The young man, whom he greatly loved,
267 Leaving him to go where he would,
[II. 34, 35. Goes to Chryseis, takes her aside, and ho-
gins with all sorts of pleasant and cousinly talk.]
(151)
How Pandare y can no more sey
fow wost / f ou canst / pou mayst / pow art al
My lyf my deth hole in thy hand y ley
help now qtM)d he yes be my trouf y shal
God jeld fe frend and ))is in special
Quod Troylus that thou me recomaunde
To her pat may me to de^e comaunde
(162)
This Pandarus tho desirous to serve r'<'«/i6]
his ful frend fo seyd in this manere
Fare wele and penk* y wil fi thonk deserve ' \
have here my trou))e & pon shalt wel here
And went his wey thenkyng on fia matere
& how he best might her byseche of grace
And fynd a tyme ther to and a space
(153)
For eue;7 wight fat hath an hows to found
Ne renni]) not the wirk* to bygyn
wit^ rakyl bond but he wole byde a stound
And send his hertis lyne out fro wi^ yn
Alpcrferst his purpos for to wyn
As pia Pandare in his hert thoght
Ded cast his work wisely or he wroght
(154)
Bvt Troylus lay fo no lenger doufl
But vp a-non vp on his stede bay
And in Je feld he pleyed fe lyon
wo was ^e greke pat met vrith hy;» pat day
And in pe toun his name sprong for ay
So goodly was & gat hym so mych grace
pat echo wight hym lovid fat lokyd in his face
1051
1054
1057
1058
1061
1064
1065
<c ■' .•
-f
T
1068
1071
1072
1075
1078
40
BOCCACCIO S FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
Chaucer's thoylus and cryseyde, book i. 40
(156)
For he bycome the frendliest wigfet
The gentillest and eke the moost fre
The trustiest and on the best knyght
That in his tyme was or myght be
Dede ware his iapis and hia cnielte
Hia hy port & his maner straunge
And eche of ^o gan for a vertu chauiige
(156)
Vow lete Ts stint of Troylus a stound
J)at farith lik a man pat hurt is sore
And is sumdel of* akyng of* his wound
Ilyssid wel but helid no dele more
And as an esy pacient. the lore f
Abit of hym }>at goth about his cure
And }>us he driueth forth his auenture
1079
1082
1085
1086
1089
1092
[End of Book L]
41
BOOOACCIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
OHAUOBB^B TBOTLUS AND CR7SEYDS, BOOK II. 41
V-'
^,
^
^/
TR0YLU8.
BOOK II.
\Harl, MS. 3943, leaf 16, back]
(1) [iV06W.]
Owte of ^es blake wawis for to sayle
O wynd wynd the wedir gynnitti clere
For in this see the boot hath such trauaile
Of my comyng pat vnne^e jet y stere
This see clepe y ])is tempestuos xnateie •
'Of* dispair f&t Troylus was yn
But now of hope pe kalendis bygyn
(2) [InvocaHon.]
lady myn that callid art Clyo
Thow be my spede herafbir in my muse
To ryme wele Jis book tuJ y have do
Ke nedith here non art for to vse
For why to euery lover y me excuse
That of no sentymetre y this endite
But of latyn in my tung it write
(3)
Wherfor y nel neiper have ^nlC ne blame
Of al ^is work* but pray yow ]ms mekely
disblameth me if* eny word be lame
For as myn auter seith so sey I
Eke if y spak of love vnfelingly
]Ne wondri^ not for no ping of new is
A l^lynd man can not iuggyn wele in hewis
8
11
14
15
18
2]
42
BOCOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
OHAUOBR'S TB07LUS AND CBYSBYDB, BOOK II. 42
(4)
3e know wel pia in fourme of Bpeche is chaimge
With-yn a thowsand ^eer and wordis tho
That haddyn pris now wondnr nyce & stronnge
T8 ]>inkith hem and jet ]>ei spak* hem so
And did asweli in love as men now do
Eke for to wynnyn love in srindiy ages
In sundry londis snndry bene vsages
(6)
Eke th^ be scarce in ]>is place thre
pat have in love done or seyd lik in alio
For to thy purpos this may like the
& to me right noght yet al is don6 or shi^
Eke some graue in tre some in ston wal
Al it betyt but as y have begun
Myn autour shal y f olwyn if y kun
(6)
And forthy if hit happe in eny wyse
That here be eny louer in this place
That herkenith as }>e stoiy wol devise
how Troylus cam to his lady grace
And ]>enkyth ^us nold y not love purchace
Or wondrith of* his speche or his doyng*
I note me semith it no wondur thyng*
[iMflT]
22
25
28
29
32
35
36
39
42
(7)
For eusry wight ))at to Eome went
holt not patthe ne alwey o manure
And yn some lond were al ]>e game y-shent
If that men ferd wi|) love as men do here
As thus in opyn delyng and in chere
In visityng in fourme or seying her sawis
For ]>us men seyn eche cuntre ha}) his lawis
43
46
49
[End of the Proem.'l
43
Boccaccio's fjlostrato, book ii.
chaucbb'b tsoylus and cbtssyde, book II. 43
53
56
"Went off to where Chryseis lived. Bk. ii. 34. 4.
[Tlie Story.]
(8)
In may ^at modir is of al monj^es glade 50
That al flouns fresshyn grene and rede
Be qwjk* ayen ])at wyntir dede made
And f ul of* bawme is flet3mg euerj mede
Whan phebus do])e his right bemys sprede
Eight so ^in the white Bulle^ so it bytyd
As y shal syng on mayes day the thrid
(9)
This Pandare for al his wyse speche 57
Felt eke his parte of< lovis shottis kene
That cowd he neuere of* love so wele preche
hit made his hewe al day ful grene 60
So shope it p&i fil hym ^at day a tene
In love for which ful wo to bed he went
And made or hit were day ful meny a went 63
(10)
The swalow Songe. witn a sorowful lay 64
whan morow come gan make his waymenting*
whi she forshapyn was and eaere lay
Pandare a bed half in slombryng* 67
Till she so ny [hym] made her chiteryng*
how Thereus gan forth her sustir take
That with ^e noyse of her he gan awake 70
(11)
And gan to calle & dressyn hym to rise DMf i7, back] 71
Eemembring hym his emde was to done
From Troylus and eke his grete emprise
An cast & knew in good plyte was the mone 74
To do viage and toke his wey ful sone ^
vn-to his necJB p aleys f er by side
Now lanus god of entre J>ow hym gyde 77
hLi<«awi
44
BOOOAOOIO'S FJLOSTRATOf BOOK IL
OHAUOEBS TB07LUS AND CRTSBTDSf BOOK H.
44
(12)
Whan he was come to his necis place
Wher is my lady to her folk seyd he
And ]>ei hym told & he for); yn gan pace
And ])ere twey ojyii ladyes sate & she
With yn a pavid parlour and pel thre
herd a maydyn rede hem al ^e geest
Of ^e s^e of* thebes whil hem lest
(IS)
Ka dame quo& Pandare god 30W se
"With al jour book and al ^e cumpany
Ey vncle now welcome y-wis qt^xi she
And vp she roos and by pQ bond in by
She toke hym fast and ^is night thry
To good mote it tume of 30W y mette
And wijy pat word she doan on bench hym setto
(U)
3e nece ^e shul fare wele the bette
If God wole al pia jeer qt/ex) Pandaros
But y am sory that y have 30W lette
To herkyn of* jour book je preysin thus
For goddis love what sei); it tel it ys
Is it of love some good ye may me lere
yncle quo& she jour maystresse is not here
(15)
Sith ]>at )yei gun laghe & |)o she seyd
This romauns is of* Thebes pat we rede
And we have herd how pat kyng Layous deyd
Thurgh Edippus his sone & al pat dede
And here we"Btyntyn at pea letttes rede
how pe bisshop as pQ book gan telle
Amphiorax fil ])urgh pe ground of* Heli
78
81
84
85
88
91
92
95
98
99
102
105
45
BOOCAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK 11.
CHAUGBB'S TBOYLUS and CB7SB7DB, BOOR II. 45
(16)
QUtod PandaruB al pis know y my selue [learisj
And al pe sege of* thebes and the care
For her-of Jw be made bokys twelve
But let be pia and telle me bow ye fare
Do wey your barbe & shew jour face bare
Do wey 30ur book rise vp let vs daunce
And lete vs to to may some obseruat^nce
(17)
I god forbede qzMx} she be ^e mad
Is pot a wydowis lyf* so god 30W save
;e make me by loyis sore a-drad
3e be so wyld hit semith as 30 rave
hit sate me wel bet ay in a kaye
To byd and rede of* holy seyntis lyvis
lete maydenis go daunce & yong wyvis
106
109
112
113
116
119
(18)
As euere thrive y quod Pandarus
3et cowd y telle 30W a thing to do 30W pley
Now vncle dere quo& she teft it vs
For goddis love is fan f e sege awey
I am of f e grekis ferd fat y dey
Nay nay quo& he as euere mote y thryve
hit is a thing wel bet fan such f yve
(19)
3e holy god quoii she what fing is that
What bet pa7i such fyve y leve it not ywis
For al fis world ne can y rede what
Hit shold be some iape I trowe y-wis
And but 30ur self* telle vs what it is
My wit is forcarid it al to leve
As god mo help y not what 3c mene
120
123
126
127
130
133
46
BOCGAOOIO'S WILOSTRATOy BOOK II.
GHAUCJEBB TBOYLUS AND CRYSBYDB, BOOK II.
46
(20)
And J yyur borow ne nen^re shul for me
This fing be told to yow so mote y thrive
And vncle why so why (^uo^ she
By God qwoeZ he for J^at wole y telle asT)lyve
For prudder woman is fer none on ly ve
And ^e wist it in al ))e toon of* Tioye
I iape not so euere have y ioy
134
137
140
(21)
]^o gan she wondryn more ^an byfor [iMfi8,i»ok] 141
A M^ fold and donn her eyen cast
For neuere seth tyme |»at she was bor
To know a thing* desirid she so fast 144
And with a sike she seyd at the last
Now vncle myn y wole 30W not displese
To aske more ]?at may do yow dissese 147
(22)
So aftir ]?is with meny wordis glade 148
And frendly talis and wtt^ mery chere
Of* this & fat fei pleyd & gun wade
In meny vncou]>c glad & depe matere 151
As frendis whan jyei be met yfere
Till she gan ask* hym how \ai Ector f erd
That was )>e tounys waH & grekis yerd 154
(23)
Fill wele y thonk* god qwo<J Pandams 155
Save in his arme he hath a wound
And eke his fressh brothir Troylus
The wyse worthy Ector J^e secound 158
In whom J)at euery vertu lest abound
In 2£l trou]}e and aU ientilnesse
Wysdom honour fredoTn and worthines 161
L
47
BOGOAOOIO B FTLOSTBATO, BOOK II.
CHAUOBR's TBOYLUS and CR7SBYDE, BOOK II. 47
(24)
In good faitH Erne quo6^ she it likitb me
They faryn wele god save hem boJ)e two
For truly y hold it grete deynte
A kyngis sone in armys wele to do '
And to be of good condicions ferto
For grete power & moral vertu here
Is seldom seyn in o persone y-fere
(25)
In good faijy paX is soth qt^x) Pandaros
But be myn heed ^e kyng ha]) sonis twey
That IB to mene Ector and Troylus
That certeynly jyogh ])at y shold dey
They be as voyd of" vices dare y sey
As eny man ])at lyvith vndur pe sonne
her myght is wyde know & what fe konne
(26)
Of Ector nedith no J^ing to telle [iMf »]
In al J)is world J)er nys a better knyght
As he fat is of" worthynes welle
And he wel more vcrtu hal^ than myght
pia knowij? meny a wyse & worthy knyght
The same prys of" Troylus y sey
God help me so y note not such twey
(27)
By god quo^ she of Ector jyat is sothe
Of Troylus pe same fing trow y
For dredles men telle ]>at he dothe
In armys day by day so worthily
And berith hym here so gentilly
To euery wight fat al pris hath he
Of hem fat me were levest praysid be
162
165
168
169
172
175
176
179
182
183
186
189
.48
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATOt BOOK II.
CHAUOERS TROYLUS AND CRYSB7DB, BOOK IT-
48
(28;
3e sey rig^t wele quod PandaruB
For yesterday who so had wij? hym bene
Might haue wondrid vp on Troylus
For neuere yet so ])ik a swarm of bene
Ne flyen as grekis fro hym ded flene
And ^UTgh pe feld in euory wightis ere
fer nas no cry but lo Troylus is here
(29)
Now bere now pere he huntyd heni so fast
This nas but grekys blood & Troylus
Now hym he hurt & hym a doun he cast
Ay wher he went hit was arayed ))us
he was her def e & sheld of* lyf for vs
])at as ))at day ^er durst none wi^stond
Whil J)at he held his blody swerd in bond
(30)
Ther-to he is ^e frendliest man
Of< so grete astate fat euere y saw in my lyve
And wher hym lyst best felawship can
To such as hym thinki^ able to thrive
And with fat word f o Pandarus as blyve
he toke his leve & seyd y wyl go henne
Nay blame have y quod^ she ynkil fenne
190
193
196
197
200
203
204
207
210
(31)
What eylith 30W to be thus werysom
And namely of" woman wil je so
Nay sittith doun by god y have to done
Wif 30W to of* wysdom or ye go
And eu^ry wight jyat was about hem tho
That herd ysi gan ferre a wey to stond
Whil fai fei two had pat hem lyst on bond
[lflftfl9,bMk] 211
214
217
49
BOOOAOOIO'S FJLOSTRATO, BOOK II.
OHAUOAR'S TROYLUS and CRYSBYDSf BOOK II. 49.
(37)
1 <*Wliat does ttiia meant"
(32)
Whan ]>at her tale- was brog&t to ]>e ende
Of* her astate and of her gou^mannce
Now quo^ Pandarus is it tyme j wende
But ^et y sey a-rise and lete vs dannce
And castitfi yowr wydowis habit to myschaonce
What lyst yow Jus your self* to disfigme
Seth yow is tyd so glad an ayenture
(33)
A wele by)K)glit for love of* God quod she
8hal y now wytyn what 30 mene of )ds
Nay this thing askith leyser Jan qtiod he
And me wold greve right sore y-wis
If y it told and je it toke a-mys
^et were it bet my tung for to stille
Than sey a sothe Jat were ayen ^our wilk
218
221
224
225
228
231
^^^
\ "''<.
(34)
For nece by Je goddesse minerve
And iubit^ Jat makij Je Jundir ryng*
And by Je blesfol venus Jat y serve
)e be the womaTi Jat in Jis world lyving<
wijout paramour to my wytyng*
Jat y best love & lothest am to greve
& Jat ^e wite wel jour self* y leve
(35)
Iwys myn vncle qi^od she graunt mercy
3our frendshipe have y found euere yet
I am to no man holdyn trewly
So mydi as yow & have so litil qwyt
And wi J Je grace of god so f erf or J as mygtt
As in my gilt y shal neuere offende
And if y have or Jis y witt amende
232
235
238
239
242
245
TBOTLUB.
50
BOGOAOOIO'S FILOSTBATOj BOOK O.
OHAUOBB's TSOYLUS AXD CR7SB7DE, BOOR II.
50
(36)
Bvt for ]ye love of< god j 30W byseche [iMf m] 246
As 30 be be ]>at y most love and trost
let be to me your frend manure specbe
And sey to me 30111 nece wbat yow lust 249
^And witH that worde anone bir vncle bir kust^
And be seyd gladly leve nece dere c^-^ ratk§rJaterAanai
Take it for good ]>at y sbal sey 30W bere 252
(37)
Wi^ ^at sbe gan ber eyen doun caflt
And Pandaros to cogb bygan a lyte
And seyd nece alwey to ])e last
bow so it be ])at some men bem delite
witb sotil art or talis to endyte
3et for al ])at in ber entencion)
ber tale is al for some conclusion
253
256
259
(35)
7 And in ber beautiful face
8 He took to looking baid.
(38)
And setil fe ende is enery talis strengtbe
An tbis mater is so bebouely
Wbat sbold y peynt or draw it on leng]?e
To 30W fat be my frend so f eitbfully
And wijy fat word be gan rigbt inwardly
Byboldyn ber and lokyn in ber face
And seyd on sucb a myrrour good grace
(39)
Tban fogbt be fus if* y my tale endyte
Ogbt bard or make a processe eny wbUe
Sbe sbal no sauour bave ferin but lyte
And trow y wold ber in my wil begyle
For tendir wittis wenyn al be wyle
Wber as J>ei can not pleynly vndirstond
ferfor ber wit to servyn wil y fond
260
263
266
267
270
273
51
BOOOAOCIOS FILOSTEATO, BOOK II.
CHAUOBB'b TBOYLUS and CBYSBrDBf BOOK II. 51
(36)
Chryseis, who sees him, smiling
Said : " Cousin, didst thou never see me,
That thou go'st thus scrutinizing me f " ^
To whom replied Pandarus : " Thou well knowest
That I have seen thee, and intend to see thee.
* You look prettier than ever.'
(40)
And lokyd on her on a-vyay wyse
And she was ware pat he byheld her so
And seyd lord so fast ^e me aviso
What sey je me neuere er than tho
yes yes quod he & bet wolo or y go
But by my trouthe y f oght not if je
Be fortunate for now men shul it se
274
277
280
/- '
' Every one has a . chance in life, but not a second
chance. Do you take yours : it is for me, poor wretch, to
be moping.
* '* Che ta mi vai oosi mente tenendo : " literally " fixing thy
mind,'' like Chauoer's ** avise.**
(37)
*' Because thine is the best-fortuned
Face that ever woman had in this world.
* There is one who loves you.' Chiyseis blushes, and
says : 'Don't make game of me. The man must have very
little to think about, and such a thing never occurred to me
since the day I was bom.' Pand. : ' ' Did you never perceive
the fact)' Chrys. ; ' No ; although indeed I do sometimes see
(41)
For euery wyght some goodly aventure pMf m, iMok} 281
Sumtyme is happy if* he can hit receyve
And if y&i he wole take of* hit no cure
Whan pat it comith but wilfully it weyve 284
No no^^ cas pat fortune hym deceyve
But right his owne slou^e & wrecchidnes
And such a wight is to blame y gesse 287
(42)
Oood auenture bele nece have ye 288
Ful lightly found & ye kun hit take
And for ^e love of god & eke of me
Taki); it anon lest auenture slake 291
What shold y lenger processe to yow make
Yeve me jour honde for in ^is world is none
If pat 30W list a wight so wel bygone 294
(43)
And y speke of good entenciotm 295
As y jow have told wele here byfom
And love as wele your honour & renoun
As creature in al ])is world yborn) 298
By aH ^e othis ^at y have 30W sworn)
If 30 be wroj^e perior or wene y ly
Ne shal y neuere se 30W eft with eye 301
52
ttOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATOy BOOK II.
OHAUOBR'S TBDYLUS and CRYSEYDB, book II.
52
C H f
. /
' • rr
f
a man prowling round the house. I have no idea who he
is.' Pandarus divines that this cannot be Troilus. He tells
her that the lover to whom he has been referring is far too
illustrious a personage to be thus unrecognized, and eulogizes
him on all sorts of grounds.
u^ Chrys. : * Are you in earnest ? Who can have perfect
pleasure of me unless he were my husband 1 Who \a the
man % ' Pand. : * No common man — ^Troilus.'
(46)
" He is indeed a citizen^
And not of the lowest, and much my friend.
He lives in plaint, miserable and woebegone,
So much doed the splendour of thy visage burn him :
And, that thou mayst know who loves thee so much,
Troilus is he who so greatly desires thee.
(44)
Beth not a-gast ne qwakith not wherto
Ne chaunge]) not for fere so jour hewe
For hardily the worst of* this ia do
And ])ogh my tale to 30W be now as newe
Yet trusti); me je shul me fynd trewe
And were it fing* me thinkith vnsittyng*
To 30W wold y no such talis bryng*
(45)
Now my good eem for goddis love y pray
(^ttadi she come of & telle me what it is
For bojye y am argast what ^e wol say
And eke me longith to wy tyn it ywis
For whej^ir it be for wele or be a-mys
Sey on let me not in this fere dwelle
80 wol y do now herkenith how y telle
(46)
Vow nece myn ]>e kyngis dere sone ciMfsi]
The good wyse worthy fressh f re
Whi(£ alwey to do wele ia his wone
The noble troylus so lovith the
))at but je help it hit wole his bane be
lo here is al what shold y more sey
Do what yow lyst make hym lyve or dey
m
(47)
Bvt if" 30 lete hym dy y wole sterve
have here my trou]^ nece y wil not lyen
As shold y ynp this knyf my throte kerve
Wi]> pat the teiis brest out at his eyen
And seyd if ]>at je do us bo])e dyen
])us giltles ])an have 30 fisshid fayre
What wyn 3e f ogh we bofe apalre
302
305
308
309
312
315
316
319
322
323
326
329
53
BOOOAOOIO S FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
GHAUGBRS TBOYLUS AND CBYSSYDE, BOOK II.
53
(48)
Alaa he that is my lord so dere 330
psA trew man ]>at noble wor]yi knyght
That noght desiril^ but ^our lovely chere
I se him dey here he goth vpright 333
And hasti]> hym wi^ al his fed might
To be slayn if* his fortune assent
Alas ^at god ^ou such a bewte sent 336
(49)
If it 80 be ])at ^e so cruel be 337
pai of his dethe ^e lyst not to recche
That is so trew and worthy as we se
No more ]>an of* a iaper or a wrecche 340
If je be such ^owr beaute may not strecche
To make amendis of* so cruett a dede
Avisement is good ay byfor ]ye nede 343
(50)
Wo wor|»e the fkir gemme vertules 344
Wo wor]> pat herbe also fat do); no boot
Wo worth p&i bewte also pat is rowtheles
Wo worth pB,t wight ]>at tret ech vndur foot 347
And ye ]?at be of* bewte crop and rote
If f er-wij>-al in yow be no routhe
)pan is it harme ^e lyvyn by my troujye 350
(51)
And also ]yenk wele pai it is no gaude [iMfsi.tacki 351
For me were leuere that ^e and y and he
Were hangid ^an y shold be his bawde
As hy as men might on vs se 354
I am thyn Eme pe shame were to me
As wel as if* y shold assent
Jpurgh myn abettyng pat he |nn honour shent 357
04
BOCOAOoio's riLoarsATO, book ii.
0HAU0KR8 TSOYLVS ASD CBTSSYDS, BOOK II.
54
(52)
Now yndirstond for y 30W not require
To bynd yow to hym by no byheste
But only pat ^e make hym better chere
Than 30 have do or this & more feste
So pat his lyfi be savid at the leste
This is al & some & pleynly our entent
God help me so y neuare othir ment
(53)
Lo this request is not but skyl y-wis
Ne dowt of reson parde per is none
I set ]»e worst lest 3e dreddyn this
Men wold wondur to se hym come & gone
Ther-a-yens answere y thus anone
That euery wight but he be fole of kynd
Wole deme it love of frendship in his mynd
368
361
364
365
368
371
(64)
What ho wil deme ])0gfi he se a man
To temple go ))at he ])e ymagis etitli
Thenk eke how wele and bysily pat he can
Goueme hym self ])at he no ]>ing for^etitb
pat wher he comith he ])ank & pris hym getitH
And eke perto he shal come here so seld
What fors were it if al ]>e toun byheld
(56)
Such love of* frendis regni]? in al J^is toun)
And couere 30W in pat mantel euermore
And god so wis be my saluaciot^n
As y have seyd your best is to do so
But good nece alwey to stint his wo
lete your daunger sugryd bene a lyte
])at of* his dethe ^e be no ))ing to wyte
372
375
378
379
382
385
65
BOCO^OOIO'S FIW8TRAT0, BOOK II.
OHAUGBBS TBOYLUS AND 0B7SSYDE', BOOK II.
50
(43)
3 " If thou become his, as he
4 Has become thine.
(54)
7 " Lose no time : reflect that old age
8 Or death will take away thy beauty."
''ChiyseiB then remained dumbfoundered, looking at
Pandarus; and such she became as at dawn the air is
discoloured."
(47)
4 And with difficulty she kept back the tears,
5 Already come to her eyes to fall
(48)
7 " What will others do, when thou dost try hard
8 To make me follow the monarchy of Love ? **
(66)
Cryseyd which ])at herd hym in ]>is wise timSH} 386
Thoght y shall fele what he menith ywis
Kow Erne quod she what wold ^e devise
What is your rede y shold done of )>is 389
That is wel seyd q^eod he certeyn best is
pat 36 hym love a-yen for his lovyng*
As love for love is skylful guerdonyng* 392
(67)
])enk eke how elde wasti^ euery houre / 393
In eche of* yow a partie of* bewte |
And J>erfor or age yow devoure
Go love for old J)er wole no wight of* }>e 396
Lete pis prtnierbe a lore vn-to ^ow be
To late y was ware quod bewte at last
And eld dauntith daunger at pe last 399
(58)
The kyngis fole is wont to cryen lowd 400
Whan pat hym |)inkith a woman henp her hy
So longe mote ye lyve and al prowd
Til crowis feet be wox vndur your ey 408
And send yow pan a mirrour in to pry
In whiche 30 may se ^our face a morow
I kepe pan wisshe yow no more sorow 406
(69)
Wi]) )>is he stint & cast a doun his hede 407
And she bygan to wepe right anone
And seyd alas for wo why ner y dede
For of* jyis world pQ fai); is al a gone 410
Alas what shold straunge folk* to me done
Wha» he J^at for my best frend y wend
Ret me to love and shold it me defend 413
56
BOOCAOOIO 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
OHAUOEB's TBOYLUa AUD 0RTSE7DE, BOOK II.
56
(48)
1 " I thought, Pandanus, if I
Had ever fallen into such folly,
That, if Troilus had ever come into my desire,
Thou wouldst have beaten me —
5 Not to speak of reproving.
(60)
Alas y wold have trustyd doutles
If y thurgh my disauenture
had lovid oper hym or Achilles
Ector or eny othir creature
3e nold han had no mercy ne mesure
On me but alwey had me in reprefe
This fids world alas ho shal it leve
414
417
420
t^ «.. , 4
**
" * Well I know that Troilus is great and valorous, and
the greatest of ladies ought to be content with him. But,
since my husband was taken from me, my liking was ever
far from love; and still is my heart in pain of his dire
death, and always will be while I shall be in life, — his
departure recurring to my memory. And, were any one to
have my love, certes I would give it to Jiim [Troilus], if
merely for fancpng he would like it.' " * But (she con-
tinues) you know love is evanescent ; leave me to my lot —
it is my duty to continue chaste. He can find plenty of
other women. Give him this reply, and do your best to
keep up his spirits.' Pandarus was somewhat nettled, and
rose to go. But at last he said : ' I have only given you
the same advice that J. would give to my sister, daughter,
or wife if I had one ; for Troilus is worth something much
higher than your love, and is now brought to a dreadful
(61)
What is l^is al ]?e ioy Sc al ])e fest liMtn, iMcki
pat je of so made is J;is my bliaful cas
Is ^is ye verrey mede of jour byhest
Is this al piB peyntid proces alas
Right for ])is o lady myn pallas
pou in yla dredf ul cas for me purvey
For so astonyd am y that i dey ^
(62)
Wi]> pat she gan ful sorowfully to syke
A may it be no bet quo^ Pandarus
By god y shal no more come here • is wyke
And god to-f om ^at am mistrowid ])U8
I se wel pai je set lyte of> vs
Or of our dope alas y woful wrecche
Might he jet lyve of me is not to recche
(63)
cruel god o despitous Marte
furious ire of heH on jow I cry
So lete me neuer out of pis hous departe
If y ment harme or eny vilany
But Beth y se my lord mote nedis dye
And y wit^ hym here y me shrive & sey
J)at wikkydly je done us bof e to dey
421
424
427
428
431
434
435
438
441
57
BOCCACCIO'S FJLOSTSATO, BOOK IT.
OHAUOEB's TR0YLU8 AND CRrSSrOK^ BOOK II. 57
pass. ^ He is moist secret, faithful, and loyal, and you are
his sole desire ; and you, still young in widow's weeds, are
permitted to love.' ''Lose no time: reflect that old age
or death wiU take away thy beauty." "^^^'AlasT said
Chryseis, * thou speakest true ; thus do the years hear us
onward little by little ; and most people die ere completing
the path marked out by the heavenly fire. But let us
now leave the thought of this ; and tell me whether I can
still have solace and pastime in love, and [in what manner,
&c.],' " 49 — 56. (Here Boccaccio seems to make Chryseis
give in rather readily to a very common-place reflection
made by Pandarus as to the flitting of youth and beauty.
Perhaps we are to understand that her previous resistance
was not quite so doughty as in her words it appeared.)
(64)
But sel^ it liki]y 30W ]>at y be dede
by neptuntM ^at god is of* ]>e see
Fro ])i9 for^ shal y neu^re etyn brede
Til y myn own hert blode may se
For certeyn y wil dey as sone as he
& vp he stert Si forth his wey he ragfit
Til she ayen hym by )ye lape caught
(65)
Cryseyde \ai welny starf* for jyat fere
So as she was ]>e f relyest wight
\>a\t might be & herd eke wij) her ere
& saw ])e sorowful emest of* |»e knight
And in his prayer eke saw non vnright
And for the harme eke ])at might fal more
She gan to rewe & drede her wondur sore
442
446
448
449
452
455
(66)
And ]?oght )»us vnhappis Mlyn j^ik*
Al day for loue in such maner cas
And me?i be cruel in hem self" & wyk*
And if< ]>is man here sle hym self* alas
In my presence hit nel be no solas
What men wold of yt deme y can not sey
hit nedi]) me ful slely for to pley
[lenfts]
456
459
462
TROTLVS.
8
(67)
And wi^ a sorowful syke she seyd thrie
A Lord me is bytid a sory chaunce
For myn astate lith yn a iupardye
And eke myn emys lyf* in balaunce
But natheles wi); good gou^maunce
I shal so done myn honour for to kepe
And eke his lyf* & stynt for to wepe
463
466
469
58
BOOOAOOIO'B FILOST&ATOf BOOK II.
CHAUOKRS TROYLUS AND CRYSEYDEf BOOK II.
58
(68)
Of! harinys two )»e lasse is for to diese 470
•
Yet have y lever make hym good cbere
In honour than myn emys lyf to lese
je sey ^e me no thyng< requere 473
No y-wia qt/oci he myn own nece dere
Now wele quo^ she & y wole do my peyne
I shal my hert a-^ens my lyst constreyne 476
(69)
Bvt ]»at y nel not holdyn hym in hond 477
Ne love no man |Mtt can no wight ne may
A^ens his wille but ellis wol y fond
Myn honour safe plese hym fro day to day 480
Ther-to nold y not ones haye seyd nay
But ^at y drede as yn my fantasy
But cesyd cause ay cecil£ malady 483
(70)
Bvt here y make a protestacion) 484
That in ])i8 proces if< ye depper go
That certeynly for no saluacion)
Of 30W ])ogh ye sterve bothe two 487
]}ogh al pe world on day be my foo
Ne shal y neuere on hym have oper rou^e
I graunf wele quo& Pandare by my trou])e 490
(71)
Bvt may y trust wele to 90W quod he [iMf ss, back] 491
That on ^is thing* ])at 30 have hight me here
Ye wol it holdyn trewly to me
je doutles quoS she myn vncle dere 494
Ne pat shal y have cause in ^is matere
to pleyne or ofter jow to preche
Why no parde what nedith more speche 497
59
BOCOAOOIOS FTLOSTftATO, BOOK 11.
GHAUOJER'S TROrLUa and CRrSEYDXf BOOK II.
59
(66)
6 " And tell me ... .
7 in what manner
8 Thou first fonnd'st it ont of Troilus."
Pandaros h«ra rlvw a flotltloos namllTe of how TroUuB implored Love to inspire
■ome (oniuuned) lady with pity of him. It would be mJI the more glory to Love to
light hie ilame In a widow's Dreast.
(66)
1 Then Pandarus smiled, and ant^wered :
2 " I will tell thee, as thon wooldst know it.
3 The other day, things being in a calm
4 Through the truce then made, a fancy took
5 Troilus that I with him through shady woods
6 Should go for pastime. /
(56-57)
' We began talking of love. Then he sang to himself.
I was not close by, but strained to overhear him.
And, as far as I can remember,
He plained to Love of his torment.
Saying : ' My lord ' —
(72)
po fillyn ^ei in other talis glade
Til at pe last o good eme quo& she tho
For love of* god ])at ys bothe made
Tel me how first je wist of* his wo
Wote none of it but ^e • he seyd no
kan he wel speke of love y pray
Tel me for y ])e betir shal me puryay
(73)
j>o Pandarus a litil gan to smyle
And seyd be my troupe y shal 30W telle
This o]>ir day not gone fal long while
Wi]) in pe paleys in a gardyn by a welle
[Line blank in M8!\
So forth we spekyn of an ordinaunce
How we the grekys myghtyn disauaunce
(74)
80 aftir ])at bygun we for to lepe
And cast wi^ our dartis to and fro
Til at ])e last he seyd he wold slepe
And on the gras a-doun he leyd him tho
And yn a fere gan rennyn to and fro
Til y herd as y walkyd alone ^
how he bygan ful sorowfidly to grone
(75)
)}o gan y stalk* hym softly behynd
And sikirly the sothe for to seyn
As y gan clepe a-jen to my mynd
Right ])us to love he gan hym to pleyn
he seyd lord have routhe yp-on my peyn
Al have y be rebel in myn entent
Now mea culpa lord y me repent
498
501
504
505
508
[care^]
511
512
515
518
519
522
526
60
BOOOAOOIO'8 FILOSTRATOf BOOK II.
OHAUCERS TSOYLUS AND CBT8RYDB, BOOK II.
60
(61)
" And, hnviiig said thiB, sighing hard.
He bowed his head, saying I know not what.
(76)
god ^at at thy disposicioii)
ledist foT&L thyn by inste purviannce
Of euery wig&t my lowe confesdon)
Accepte in gre and send me penatmce
As likitti the but from despeiaonce
yai may my gost al-wey departe fro |>e
Thow be my sheld for thy benignite
(77)
For certis lord so sore hath she me woundid
That stood in blak wi]> lokyng of* her eyen
That to my hertis bv/tme it is sonndid
Thurgh which y wote pat y must nedis dyen
pia is ])e worst y dare me not bywryen
And wele pQ hattere bene |>e gledis rede
pat men hem wryen vrith asshyn pale as lede
(78)
Wi]> pat he smote hiB heed a-doon a-none
An gan to motre y note ner what trewly .
And y mp p2^i gan stitt a-wey to gone
And lete J^er-of* as wist no ])ing had y
And come a^en a-none & stode hym by
And seyd a-wake ^e slepyn al to long*
Hit semith not ^at love do^ 30W long*
(79)
)}at slepyn so ^at no man may yow wake
Who sey euer or pia so dnl a man
^e frend quo^ he do ^e ^our hedis ake
For love & lete me lyve as y can
Bnt ]»ogh he for wo was pale & wan
Tet made he ])0 as fresshe contenatince
As ])ogh he shold have led pe newe daunce
dMfM] 526
529
532
533
536
539
540
543
546
547
550
553
61
BOGGAOOIOS FILOSTBATO, BOOK II.
CHAUOEBS TS0YLU8 AND CiYSETDE^ BOOK II
61
(62)
" But no opportunity for this occurred to me
Till to-day, when I found him all alone ;
Entering his chamber, in doubt
Whether he was there, he was on the bed ;
And, seeing me, he turned aside.
(62)
6 Whereof I conceived some suspicion ;
7 And, coming nearer, I found he was weeping
8 Sore, and sorely he lamented.
(63)
** I comforted him the most I could ;
And, with new art and wily device,
I got out of his mouth what ailed him,
First giving him my faith in pledge.
(63-64)
'' This pity moved me, and for him I come
To thee.
What wilt thou do % Wilt thou remain unbending,
And leave him— -who has no care of himself
Through loving thee — ^to come to so dire a deathi
(80)
This passid for]) til now ^is o]>ir day
hit fel ]>at y come rennyug a4one
In-to lus chaumbre & fond how he lay
Yp on his bed but man so sore grone
Ke herd y neuere none & I>at was his mone
Ne wist y not for y was comyng*
Al sodenly he left his compleynyng*
564
557
560
(81)
Of which y toke sum what suspeciofl
And ner y come & fond he wept sore
And god so wys be my savacion)
As neuere of* ])ing had y rou])e more
For nei]>er wij) engyn ne wij lore
vnne])i3 might y fro |)e de]>e hym kepyn
J)at jet fele y myn hert for him wepyn
(82)
And god wote neuere seth ^at y was bOrn)
Was y 80 bysy no man to preche
Ke neuere was to wight so depe sworn
Or he me told ho myght be his lecho
But now to 30W rehercyn al his speche
Or al his wof ul woordis for to sowne
Bid je me not but 3e wol se me swowne
(83)
Bvt for to save his lyf* & ellis not
And to none haime of 30W ])us [am] y drjrvyn
And for ])e love of* god ]>at vs hath wroght
Such chere hym do]>e ]>at he & y may lyvyn
Now have y plat to jow my hert shryvyn
And seth je wyte |)at myn entent is clene
Take hede ^6/*-of* for y non evU mene
ClMfS4,back] 561
564
567
568
571
574
575
578
581
62
BOGOACGIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
CHAUCER 8 TR0YLU3 AND CRTSBTDS^ BOOK U.
62
(43)
" Well ia the gem set in the ring,
If thou art wise as thou art beautiful.
Nor was ever donzel
So well joined to any damsel
As thou vnth him, if thou be wise :
Blessed thou if thou but know it ! "
(84)
And right good thrift j pray to god have ^e
That have suc& on caght in-to 3our nette
And be ^e wys as je be fair to se
Wei in the ring is fan J)e ruble sette
Ther wer neu&re two so wele y-mette
Whan 3e be his al hole & he is joures
))at mighty god us graunt to se po houris
582
585
588
Chryseis : " * God so make him joyful and healthy,
and me also, as pity for him has come on me thrnngh thy
talking. I am not cruel, as thou fanciest^ nor bare of pity.'
And, stopping awhile, after a great sigh, being already
heartstruck, she pursued : ' Ah me ! I see whither thy
pityiDg wish draws thee : and I will do it, for satisfy tliee
I must, and he is worthy of it. Be content if I look at him.
But, to avoid shame, and worse perchance, pray him to be
discreet, and to do what shall be no discredit to me, nor
yet to himseK.' '' Pandarus pledges himself to this.
(68)
1 Pandarus being gone, alone
2 Into her ehamber went ChiyBeis fair ;
Within her heart revolving every least word
And statement ^ of Pandarus.
' ** Novella " — item of news, narrated fact Perhaps this word
was in Chaucer's mind, rather wrested from its true bearing, when,
in at 87. he spoke of '* the newe cas."
(85)
Ther-of« spak y not a ha quo^ she
As help me god 30 shende eucry dele
A mercy dere nece a-none quo^ he
What 80 y spak y ment but wele
By mars fe god fat helmyd is of stele
Now be not wrofe my blood my nece dere
Now wele qzwxt she foryevyn be hit here
(86)
With piB he toke his leve & home is went
Je lord she was glad and wel bygone
Cryseyde a-ros & neu^e she stent
But streight to her chambre went a-non
And sate pere as stil as eny stone
And euery word gan vp & doun to wynd
That he had seyd as it cam to her mynd
(87)
And wax suTTidele astonyed in his ]>oght
Right for f e newe cas but whan fat she
Was ful avisid f o fonde she right noght
Of periH why she oght a-ferd to be
For a man may love of^ possibilite
A woman so his hert may to-brest
And she not love a3en but if* her lest
589
592
595
DeafS5]
596
599
602
603
606
609
63
B0CCACX)10S FILOSTEATO, BOOK II.
CHAUCBBS TBOYLUS AND CRYSBYDEj BOuK II.
63
(81)
And with all leiBnie
Alone with PandaroB he went, to see the beanty
Of Ghiyseis*
(88)
Bvt as she sat alone & )>oght thus
In ]>e skye roos a skarmisshe al wi]>-oat
And men cried in ]7e strete tho Troylus
ha)> rigHt now put to flight y grekis rout
Wi^ ^at gan all ^e meyne for to shout
A go we sene cast vp the latis wyde
For t'Uigh )>iB strete he must to paleys ride
(89)
For oJ>er wey is fro fe ^atis none
Of Cardanus fer opyn is tho cheyne
Wi]7 Jiat come he & al his folk anone
An esy pas ridyng in routes tweyne
Eight as hit happid sothe to seyne
For which men sey may not destourblid be
That shal betyde of necesaite
(90)
This Troylus sate vp on his bay stede
Al armyd save his heed richely
And woundid was his hors & gan to blede
On which he rood a pas f ul softely
But such a knyghtly sight trewly
As was on hym was not wi})-out faiie
To loke on Mars ^at god is of* bataiH
610
613
616
617
620
623
624
627
630
(91)
So lyke a man of armys & a knyght a«fu^bftek
he was to sene fulfild of* hye )>rowesse
For bofe he had body and myght
To do ]>at thing* as wel as hardynesse
And eke to se hym in his gere hym dresse
So fresshe so yung* so weldy semyd he
hit was an hevyn on hym for to se
631
634
63T
G4
BOCCACOIO'B FILOSTRATOf BOOK II.
CHAUCER8 TR07LUS AND CR7SBYDE, BOOK II.
64
(92)
His helm to-hewjn was in xx places
That by a tissewe hing his bak^ behind
his sheld to-dasshyd was wi|) swerd & maeis
In whic& men migtit menj an arwe fynd
That thi-illid hath bo])e nerf* and rynd
And ay ^e peple cried here comi]) our toy
And next his brojwr holder vp of troy
638
641
644
(82)
She stood at a window,
And perhaps expected what happened :
She did not show herself severe or harsh
Towards Troilus, who was gazing on her ;
But alway, along the right breast,
Looked towards him modestly:''
(82-83)
Troilus rendered thanks to Pandarus and to God.
Chiyseis, charmed with his air, no longer remained luke-
warm or hesitating, but " desires him above all other bliss ;
and much regrets her lost time, when she knew not of ^
love."
(84-88)
Troilus gets discreet glances at Chryseis ; she, equally <
discreet, '* showed herself to him from time to time, lovely
and cheerful" This could not last long without renewed
pangs to Troilus. He often poured out his soul to Pan-
darus, and invoked the absent Chryseis to have pity on
him. " * Oh were I but with thee one winter's night,^ and
then to stay a hundred and fifty in hell ! ' "
' '< W%nt^*t night " because (no doubt) the nights are long in
that Beaaon.
(71-78)
'< This man is handsome, noble, wise, and discreet.
Who loves thee, — and fresher than a garden-lily ;
Of royal blood and of highest valour.
(72)
6 ** Hearest thou not the anguish of his plaint f*
* This is a line from Dante's Inferno.
(93)
For which he wax a litil rede for shanio
Whan he so herd jw peple on hywi crien
)}at to byhold it was a noble game
how sobrely he cast a-doun his eyen
Gryseyd anon gan al ])e chere aspyen
And lete it in her hert so softly synk*
pat to her self* she seyd ho ^evip me drink*
(94)
For of her owne |>Qght she wax al rede
Eemembring her right pxxH lo piB is he
Which pat myn vncle swerith he mote be dede
But y on hym have mercy or pite
And for ])at poght pure ashamyd she
Gan in her hede pul & pat as fast
Whil he & al the peple f or-by past
(9S) ,
And gan to cast & roUe it vp & doun
Wi]>-in her poght his excellent prowesse
And his astate & also his renoun
His wit his shap & eke his gentilnesse
But most her pauour was for his distresse
Was al for her & thoght it were routhe
To sle such on if p&t he ment but trou)>e
645
648
651
652
655
658
659
662
665
65
BOGOACCIO S FILOSTRATO^ BOOK II.
chauoer's tboylus and crysbyds, book IL
65
(96)
How myght some enyious ianglyn ^us
This was a sodeyn love how might ]>is be
That she so lightly lovyd Troylus
Rig&t for the ferst sight parde
Now who pat seith so neuere mote he the
For euery J)ing a bygynnyng* hath iiede
Or al be wroght wijj-out eny drede
PflftfSO]
666
669
672
(97)
For y sey not j^at she so sodenly
Yaf -hym her love but she bygan encline
To like hym J)o & y have told 30W why
And aftir ])at his manhood & his pine
Made love wi]>-in her hert for to myne
For which by pn>ooooo Ss by good servise
he wan her love & in no sodeyn wise
(98)
And also bHsfal yenus wel axayed
Sate in her vij. hous of" hevyn po
Disposyd wele & wi)> aspect payed
To help sely Troylus of* his wo
And soth to sey she nas not his f o
To Troylus in his natiuyte
God wote pat wele pe sonner sped he
(99)
How lete vs stynt of* Troylus a throw
That ridi]> forth and lete vs tume fast
vnto Cryseyd fat hing* her heed ful lowv3
Ther as she sate alone and gan to cast
Wher-on she wold apoynt her at pe last
If it so were her erne nold sese
For Troylus vp on her for to prese
673
676
679
680
683
686
687
690
693
TROYLUS.
\
ee
BOGCAOOIO'S FILOSTRATOf BOOK II.
OHAUOER's TB0TLU8 AND CB7SETDS, BOOK II.
66
(72)
7 " Oh ! how much Wise wilt thou yet have with him,
& If thou love him as he loves thee !
/
/
\
(100)
And lord so she gan in her hert argue
Of* thia matere of" wliic& y have 30W told
& what to do best were & what teschewe
That plytid she ful oft in meny fold
Now was her hert warm now was it cold
And what she ^oght sumwhat y shal write
As to me myn autour lest for to endyte
(101)
She ))oght ferst p&t Troylus persone [imfM^iMM^]
She knew by sight & eke his gentilnes
And seyd )>us al were it not to done
To grannte hym love al for fe worthines
hit were honour wi]) pley & wi]> gladnes
In honeste with such a lord to dele
For myn astate & also for his hele
(102)
Eke wele wote y my kingis sone is he
And seth he hath to se me such delite
If« y wold vttirlich his sight fle
Parauenture he myght have me in dispite
Thurgh whi<A y myght stond in wors plite
Now were y a f ole me hate to purchace
WiJ>-out nede wher y may stond in grace
(103)
In euery )>lng y wote per lith mesure
For thogh a man for drunkenesse
He had forbode J)at euery creature
Be drinkles for al wey as y gesse
Eke seth y wote for me is his distresse
I oght not for pat thing hym dispise
Seth hit is so he menith it in good wise
694
697
700
701
704
707
708
711
714
715
718
721
67
BOOCAOOIO'S FILOSTBATOf BOOK II.
OHAUCBBS TSOYLUS AND CEYSBYDS, BOOK II.
67
(70) .
3 '' I know not yet in all this city
4 Any woman without a lover ; and most people,
5 As I know and see, make love.
(70-71)
* I am losing my time and my youth : to do as others
do can be no sin.
(69)
'^I am young, beautiful, charming, and gladsome.
/
/
(104)
And eke y know of longe tyme agone
his thewys and )>at he is not nyce
Ke auauntoiir certenly he is none
To wys is he to do so grete a vice
Ne as y nel neuere so hym cherice
That he may make auaunt by iuste cause
he shal me neu^re bynd vrip such a clause
(106)
How set y a cas thus y-wys
Men myght demyn ])at he lovi]) me
What dishonour were it to me this
May y hym lette why nay parde
I know also & alday here and se
Men lovyn wymmen al pia toun about
Be they ^e wors nay wi]H)utyn dout
"(106)
I thenk* eke how able he is to have [leaf t7]
Of* al this noble toun the thriftyest
That woman is so she her honour save
For out and out he is pe worthiest
Save only Ectot^r which pat is pe best
& ^et his lyfi lith now in al my cure
But such is love & eke myn auenture
(107)
He me to love a wondir is it noght
For wele wote y my self" so god me spede
As wold y pBt no man wist of* pia ]>oght
I am one pe fayrest with-outyn drede
And goodliest ho so takith hede
And so men seyn in al )>e toun of* troy
What wondur is it ])ogh he on me have ioy.
722
725
728
729
732
736
736
739
742
743
746
749
68
BOOOACCIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
ghauoeb's tboylus and cbtsbtdb, book IL
68
2 '^ A widow, rich, noble, and beloved.
4 "Wby should not I be in love 1
(69)
tt
If percbance honour forbids me this,
I will be prudent, and will keep mj liking so hidden
That it shall not be known
That I have ever held a lover in my heart.
(75)
And staying awhile she then turned
To the opposite side, saying : " Unhappy,
What wUt thou do 1 " &c.
(73-75)
' This is no time for marrying. Besides, it ia better to
keep one's liberty, and husbands are by no means so ardent
as lovers. Stolen waters are sweet. " *Then do thou
heartily receive thy sweet lover, who has certainly been
sent thee by God, and satisfy his hot desire.' " Bat next
came a revulsion of feeling.
(108)
I am myn owne woman wele at eae
I thonk* it god aftir myn astate
Eight yung & stond vntyd in lusty lese
Wifout ielosy or eny such debate
Shal none husbond sey to me chekmate
For eifcr fei be ful of ielosye
Or maystreful or lovyn nouelry
(109)
What shal y do to what fyn lyve y Jus
Shal y not love in cas )>at me lyst
What parde y am not in religious
& pogh. pai y myn hert set at rest
vpon fis knyght fat is the worthiest \
And kepe alwey myn honour & my name
By al right y may do me no shame
(110)
Bvt right as whan )>^ sunne shynith bright
In marche pat chaungit^ oft tyme his face
And pskt a cloud pai put pe wynd to flight
pe which ou^rsprad pe sonne as for a space
A clowdy f oght gan furgh her hert pace
j)a,i ouer-sprad her o]>ir thoghtis aH
So )>at for fere almost she gan to fali
V
750
763
756
757
760
7G3
764
767
770
(111)
That )>oght was ))is alas seth y am free [iaaf27,back] 771
Shold y now love & put in iupardy
Mi sikimes and thrallyn liberte
Alas how durst y thenk fat foly 774
I may wele in othir folk aspy
her dredful ioy her conatreynt & pleynt
per lovif none wif-ont bofe care & peyn 777
69
BOOOACOIO'S riLOSTRATO, BOOK II.
CHAUOBR's TB0YLU8 AND CRYSBYDB, BOOK II.
69
(76-78)
" Knowest thou not how dreadful
A life is led languislLiiig with love ? *'
' Love is full of el ghing and jealousy. And then Troilus
is too great a man for me, and will soon leave me forlorn.
And the thing will he discovered, and I shall lose my
reputation. Then let me leave such loveraaking to those
who like it.' Next she began to sigh hard, ^' and could not
expel from her chaste bosom the handsome face of Troilus.''
^/.
/
(112)
For love is jet ))e most stormy lyf
Bight of* hym self* fat eu^re was bygun
For euere some mystrust or nice strife
Ther is in love some cloudis in ))at sunne
J)erto we wrecchyd wymmen ne kun
Whan vs is wo but sit wepe & think*
Oure wreche is our owne wo to drink*
(113)
Also \&A wikkyd tunges be so prest
To speke vs harm eke men be so vntrew
)>at right a-none [as] cesid is her lest
So 8e[s]ith love & for to love a new
But harme ydon is don who so it rew
For ))ogh Y^ men for love hem self* vnrende
Ful sharp bygynnyng* brekith oft at ende
(114)
How oft tyme may men rede & se
))e tresot^n \a\t to wymmen hath be done
To what is such love y can not se
Or wher bycomi]) it whan it is gone
X^er is no wight \aX wote y trow none
Wher it bycomij) lo no wight on it spwrnij)
)>at arst was no thing in to no f ing it tz^rni])
(116)
How bysy eke if y love y must be
To plesyn hem \a\» ianglyn of loue & demen
And koy hem )>at thei sey non harme by me
For ))ogh \eT be no cause jet hem semyn
Al be for harme )>at folk her frendis quemyn
And who may stoppe euery wikkid tung*
Or soun of» bellis whil J)ei ben y-rung*
778
781
784
785
788
791
792
795
798
799
802
805
70
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
chavobb's TaoTws Aim cstsxtdi, book n.
70
(78)
( The first result always recurred, —
( Now censuring, now commending.
(116)
And after ]}at her ]}Og!Lt bygan to dere Omt »] 806
And seyd ho that no thing yndirtakitb
No ))ing eschewi)) be hit leve or dere
And wi)> a-no))6r j^oglit her hert quakitfi 809
pan slepi)) hope Ss aftir drede awakith
Now bote now cold but )ms bytwiz twey
She rist her yp & went her for to pley 812
(117)
Adoun ])e staire a-non right she went 813
Into a gardyn fere "wip her necis thre
And vp & doun )>ei madyn meny a went
Flexip6 & she tarke and Anteigne 816
To pley that it ioy was to se
And op^ of* her wymmen a grete route
her folowdyn in ]>e gardyn al about 819
(118)
J)is 3erd was large & raylyd f* Aleyes 820
And shadowyd wele with blosmy bowis grene
I-benchid new & sandid al pe weyes
In which she walki]> arme in arme bytwene 823
TiL at ])e last Anteigne the shene
Gka on a troian lay to syngyn clere
)}at it an hevyn was for to here 826
(1 19) [ArUeigiie^s Song of Love,\
She seyd love to whom y have & shaH 827
Be humble suget trew in myn entent
As y can best lord 3eve y ail
For euarmore myn hertis lyf to rent 830
For 3et \\ grece no wight sent
So blisful cause as m». my lyf to lede
In al ioy and seurte out of* drede 833
I
71
BOOOAOOIO'a FOOSTRATO, BOOK IL
OHAVOSBS TBOYlUa ASD CBTSSTDS, BOOK IL
71
(120)
3e blififul god have me so wele y-sette 834
In love y-wifl phi al ))at beritli lyf>
Ymagine ne cou]>e how to be bet
For loid wi]H)nt ieloosy or strifi 837
I loue on which is moost ententif
To servyn wele vnwery & vnfeynid
)?at euere was & lest wi]> harme distreynid 840
(121)
As he ])at is ]>e welle of worthinesse pMf 28,bMk] 841
Of< trouthe ground mirrour of* goodlyhede
Of* wit apollo ston) of* Sikemesse
Of* vertu rote fynder of* lyst & hede 844
)>urgh which is aii sorow fro me dede
Iwis y love hym best so doth he me
Now good thrift have he wher so ]»at he be 847
(122)
Whom shold y thonk" but jow god of" love
Of" al p\a blys which fat y bathe yn
And ]>ankyd be ))ow god for ]>at y love
This is pQ right lyf* ])at y am yn
To fleme al manere vice and synne
This doth me so to yertu entende
])at day by day y am in wil amende
(123)
And who ])at seith ]>at for to love is vice
Or thraldom ))ogh he fele in hit distresse
he is o)>ir envious or nyce
Or is vnworthy for his shrewdenesse
To love for which manure folk y gesse
Diffamyn love as ])ei of hym no )>ing know
f)ei spekyn mych but pei bent neu^re his bow
848
851
854
855
858
861
/
72
BOOCACOIO'S FILOSTIUTO, BOOK IL
ohauckb's tbotlus and cbtsstdx, book II. 78
(124)
What is )>e sunne woia of kynd nght 862
Thogb ]>at a man for feblenes of< eyen
May not endare to se on hit for bright
Or love ]>e wors ])ogh wrecchea on hit crien 865
Now wele is he worth ps,t may no sorow drien
& for pi who y&i hath an hede of ^ verre
Fro caste of* stonys ware hym in pe werre 868
(125)
Bvt y wij) al myn hert & al my might 869
As y have wol love vn to my last
My dere hert and al myn owne knyght
In which myn hert is growyn so fast 872
And his in me ])at it shal enere last
Afl dred y forst to love hym to bygynne
Now wote y wele J)er is no peyn ther yn 875
[End of Anteign^e Love-Song,']
(126)
And of* her song right with J>at word she stynt [taif «9] 876
And J)«rwith-dft now nece qwcwJ Cryseyde
Who made ^is song wi)) so good entent
Anteigne answerid anone & seyde 879
Ma dame y-wis the goodliest mayde
Of" grete astate in al the toun of Troy
And led her lyf in most honour & ioy 882
(127)
Forsothe so it semii£ by her song
Qt«}^ Jjo Ciyseyd & gan ferwif to sike
And seyd is J)0r sndL bUsse among*
])e8 lovers as ])ei kon fiaire endite
3e y-wis qt^ firessh Anteigne ]»e white
For al J)e folk" fat have or bene on lyve
Ne knn wele pe blisse of" love discryve
883
886
889
73
BOOOAOOIOa FaaSTRATO, BOOK IL
ohauobr's tbotlus and cBrasroK, book il 7S
(128)
Bvt wene ^e that eny wiecche wote
The parfit blys of Ioyo nay y-wys
pei wene al be love if* one be hote
Do wey j^ei wote no fing* of* this
Men must ask* of* seyntis if* it is
Og&t fair in hevyn why for ))ei can tett
And axe of* f endis if it be fool in hett
890
893
896
(129)
Cfiyseyd ^er-to her no |>ing answerde
But seyd y-wis it wil be ni^t as fast
Bat eu^ry word which pat she of herd
She put hit in her hert fast
And ay gan love her las for to gast
pat ded her oft sykyn in her hert
That she wax able snmwhat to conuerte
897
900
903
(130)
The dayes honour & the hevenis eye 904
The niglitis foo al |)iB depe y the sonne
Gan wrestyn fast & donward for to wiy
As he |)at had his dayes cours y-ionne 907
And whit |)ingis gan to wexe donne
For lak* of light and sterris to apere
peA she and aH her folk" went home y-fere 910
(131)
So wlian it likyd her to go to rest D«^tt. back] 911
And Yoydyd were ]k> |>at voyd shold out
She seyd |)at slepyn wele her lest
her wemen sone vn-to her bed her broght 914
Whan al was shet fat lay she stil & poght
Of all ^ thinges fe manure & ):e wyse
Behdfsyn^ it nedi]) not for ^e be wise [^ MS. Hehsyn] 917
TROTLUS. 10
74
dOOOAOOIO'a FIWSTRATO, BOOK IL
OHADOXRB TROrLOS AHD CRrSMTDK, BOOK II.
74
(132)
A nyg&tyiigale ypon a cedre grene
vndur fe chambie was per as she lay
Ful lowd song a-jen ^e mone shene
PerauntuT in liis briddis wise a lay
Of love whicll ^at made her heit gay
her herkenyd she so long in good entent
Til at fe last dede slepe her hent
918
921
924
(133)
And as she slepe Srnon right fo her^ met \} MS. h] 925
how ^t an £gle fetherid whit as bone
yndor her brest her long clawis set
And out her ^h^ rent & ]>at anone 928
And ded his hert in to her brest gone
Of which no ping she abasshid ne smert
And forth he fly wi^ hert left for hert 931
(79)
Pandaros went to Troilus, and from afar called to him :
(134)
Vow lete we her slepe & forth our talis hold
Ofi Troylus psX is to paleys ridyn
For |)e scarmysshe of* pe which y told
And in his chambre syt and hath abydyn
Til 'ij' or iij of* his messagers jedyn
For Pandare & soghtyn hym so fast
' Be of good cheer, for Tve already managed a great part of TuI fei hym foundyn & broghtyn at f last
the affair.'
(135)
This Pandare come lepyng< yn at ones
And seyd pua who hath be wel y-bete
To day wij) swerdis & wit^ slyngstonys
But Troylus ]>at hath caght hym an hete
And gan to iape & seyd lord so je swete
But rise & lete ys sope & go to reste
And he answerd do we as the leste
932
935
938
939
942
945
76
BoooAoao'a riuuriuTO, book ii.
0HAUCBB8 TBOTLVS AND CBTSXYBX, BOOK II.
76
946
(79)
7 He told him quickly,
8 With no demur, how the matter had gone.
(80)
As flowrets, bent and shut by nightly frost,
When the sun whitens them,
All open straight upon their stem ;
Such, from his wearied powers, became ^
Troilns then : — and, looking up to heaven,
He began, like a man of mettle :
" Praised be thy supreme goodness,
Beautiful Venus, and that of thy son Love ! *'
* These lines are borrowed by Boooaooio almost verbatim from
Daate : also the next line bat one.
949
P MS. lit]
(136)
With al ye hast goodly fat fei myght [iMf lo]
They sped from her soper to her bed
And eu^ry wight out at fe dore hjm dight
ft wher hywi list vpK)n his wey hym sped
Troylus pat ]>ought pat his hert^ bled
For wo tul he herd some tydyng*
he seyd frend shal y now wepe or syng« 952
(137)
QttocI Pandarutf ly stil and lete me alepe 053
And do doun pin hood pi nedis sped be
ft chese it pou wilt daunoe or syng* or lepe
At short wordis pou shalt trust to me 956
Sir my nece wole do wele by the
And love pe best by god ft be my troupe
But lak of pursute make it in pi aloupe 959
(138)
For pus ferforp have y pi work begunne 960
Fro day to day tul pis day by p* morow
her love of* frendship to pe have y wonne
And per-to hap she leyd her feip to borow 963
Algate sumwhat y have lessid pi sorow
What shold y lenger sermon of* yt hold
As 30 have herd > byfor he al hym tol<$ [> MS. hd] 966
(139)
Bvt right as flouris purgh cold of nyght 967
I-closid stoupyn her stalkys lowe
Redressyn hem a-yen pe sonne bright
And spredyn in her right cours by row 970
Eight so gan Troylus his eyen vp to throw
This Troylus and seyd venus deie
Thy might pi grace y-heried be it here 973
I
1
I
!
76 Boccaccio's fjlostbato, book ii.
(81)
1 Then he embraced Pandarus a good thousand times ;
2 So delighted
3 That he would have been no more so if
4 A thousand Troys had been given him.
(89)
1 "What shall I do, Paadamsl Thou sayst nought'
(90)
** Nor have I dissembled,
Nor ever shall dissemble, to give succour to thy pains ;
And I am always braced
To do for thee, not only what befits,
But all things whatever.
Chaucer's troylus and cryssyvb, book ii. 76
(140)
And to Pandare he held vp bo^e his hondis 974
And seyd lord al thyn be ^at y havei
For y [am] hole al brostyn be my bondis
A thowsand Troyes ho so jMtt me yave 977
Eche aftir o^ir god so wis me save
Ne might so me gladyn lo myne herte
But spredith so for ioy it wil to-sterte 980
(141)
Bvt lord how shal y do how shal y lyvin OMfi^tack] 981
Whan shal y next my dere hert se
how shal |)is long tyme a-wey be dryvin
Til |)ow be ayen at her fro me 984
Thow mayst answere abyde abyde but he
That hangith by |)e nek* ye adpe to seyn
In grete diasese abydil^ for the peyn 987
(142)
Al esyly now for ^e love of Marte 988
Quod Pandarus for eu^ thing* hath tyme
So long* abyde til ^t the night departe
For also siker as ]k>w lyest here by me 991
And god tofor y wole be fer at pryme
And for thy work sumwhat as y sey
Or on some oper wigfit ])is charge ley 994
(143)
Por parde god wote y have enere ^et 995
Be redy the to serve & in-to |)is night
have y not feynid but euere for my wit
Done al ])i list & shal do wi^ my might 998
Do now as y shal sey & fare aright
And if |)0U nelt . wyte al ^i self* l^e care
On me is not along* |)in evil fare 1001
77
BOCCAOOIO'S FILOSTRATOf BOOK II.
CHAUGBBS TSOYLUS AND CEY8EYDB, BOOK IL
77
(90-91)
'* I know that, in all matters, six to one,
Thou seest better than I : but nevertheless,
Were I in tbee, I would write
The whole of my pain to her with my hand ;
And hereupon I would beseech her by God,
And by love and of her courtesy,
That she would have some thought of me.
(91)
7 ** And, this being written,
S I will take it to her without delay."
(144)
T wote wele ]>at ^ow wiser art than y
A M' fold but if* y were as thow
God help me so as y wold vtturly
Bight of myne owne honde write her now
A lettie in which y wold telle her how
I ferd a-mys & her byseche of rou))e
Kow help ^ self & leve it for no slouthe
(145)
And y my aeHf^ shal ^^rwitii to her gone
& whan ^ow west y am with her there
Worthe ^ou ypon a curser right anone
5e hardily right in thi best gere
And ride for-by ye place as noght ne were
And ^u shalt fynd vs if y may sittyng*
In some wyndow in-to ye strete lokyng*
1002
1005
1008
1009
1012
1015
(146)
And if ]>au list |nui mayst ^u vs salewe [iMf si] 1016
And vp-on me thow make thi contenatince
But be thi lyf be ware yat yow eschewe
To tarien oght god sheld it fro mischaunce
Bide forth and hold thy gouemaunce
And we shul speke sumwhat of )m y trowe
Whan pow art go to do pin oris glowe
1019
1022
(147)
Towchyng this pou art wyse ynow
I wote pow wilt it dignlych it endite
Or make it with yes argumentis tow
Ne scryvenlich or craftly yow it write
Biblotte it with tens eke a ]yte
And if pow write a goodly word al softe
Thogh it be good reherce it not to ofte
1023
1026
1029
78
BOOOAOOIOS FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
OHAUOERS TBOYLUS AND CRYSBTDE, BOOK II.
78
(148)
For ^ogb the best hcLTpour vp-on lyre
Wold vp-on pe best sownyd ioly haipe
That euere was wi]> al his fingris fyve
Touche euere o strenge or euere o werble harpe
Were his naylis poyntid neuare so sharpe
he shold make euery wight to dulle
To here his gle and of* his strokis fall
1030
1033
1036
(93)
This counsel pleased Troilus much ;
But, as a timid lover, he replied :
" Alas I Pandarus, thou wilt see^
As it is known that women are shamefaced,^
That ChryseiB will reject the writing that thou shalt take,
For shame, with injurious words."
* This has no direct eqniyalcnt in Chaucer ; but his expression
I am euhamyd" ko, may be a sort of reflex from it.
(94)
To this Pandaros replied : '' If it please thee,
Do what I say, and then leave me to act ;
For, so may Love set me in his peace,
I expect to bring thee back an answer thereto
Written with her hand ; and, if thou likest not this,
Timid and sad thou mayst have to bide.
Thou wilt then repent for thy torment ;
It will no more be in me to make thee happy."
(149)
He iompre eke no discordant thing in fere
As ]>us to vse tennis of physik*
In lovis t^rmes hold of* thy matere
The fourme alwey <& do |iat it be lyk*
For if a peyntour wold peynt a pyk*
Wi]> assis feet & heed it as an ape
Hit cordid not so nere it but a iape
(150)
This counceil likyd wele to Troylus
But as a dredf ul lover he seyd this
Alas my dere brothir Pandarus
I am ashamyd for to write y-wis
lest of myn innocens y seyd a-mys
Or ))at she nold hit for despite rece3rve
pern wer y dede per might no ping me weyve
1037
1040
1043
1044
1047
1050
(161)
To ]>at Pandare answerid if* povr lyst [learsi^backi 1051
Do that y sey lete me J>er-with gone
For by that lord that fowrmyd est & west
I hope of* hit to bryng answerd anon 1054
Eight of* her hond & if* fow nelt none
lete be Se sory mote he be his lyve
Ay ens pi list ^at helpith pe to thrive 1057
79
BOOGAOOIO'S FILOSTRATOf BOOK II.
CHAUOER'S TltOYLUS AND CRTSEYDE, BOOK II.
79
(95)
Then aaid Troilus : "Be
Thy pleasure done. I am going, and wiD write :
And I pray Love, of his courtesy,
The writing and the letter and the mission
He make fruitful."
To his dearest lady he wrote
A letter quickly, and thus he said.
(96-98)
< I cannot, as is the wont, send you a salutation^ for in
myself is no salubrity.
" I cannot avoid that which Love wills,
Who has erst made daring a viler than I ;
And he constrains me to write the words.
* Tour image is always present to me.
" And me give pardon, .
Prythee, my sweet hope.
" I well know that never
"Was that for which I come deserved by service of mine.
(103-106)
' Be pitiful as you are lovely : you will understand me.
I had much else to say, but will only implore of Love
'* ' that, as I am thine, so some day thou mayst become
mine, and never be severed from me.' "
(100, 102, 107)
'* From these things, lady, is bom a fire
Which day and night tortures my soul.
Without sJlowing me to find stay or pause."
You alone can console me : for God's sake do it.
Having therefore written all these things
In a paper, he folded it orderly.
(152)
Quod Troylus depardeu y assente
Seth ]>at pe list y wole aryse & wryte
And blisful god pray ich in good entent
The viage & pe lettve y shal endite
So spede it and ]>ow Minerua it write
Jeve pow me wyt my IsUie to devise
& sete hym doun & wrote right in this wyse
(153) [Troilu^e Letter.]
Feist gan he her his ri^t lady calle
his hertis lyf his list his sorowis leche
his blis & eke his ofer termes alle
That in such cas ^es lovers al seche
And in ful humble wyse as in his speche
he gan hym recomaunde to her grace
To tett al how hit axith mychil space
(164)
And aftir ful lowly he her prayd
To be not wroth ^og^ he of his foly
So hardy to telle to write and seyd
pat love it made or ellis must he dy
And pytously gan mercy for to cry
And aftir he seyd and lyed lowd
he was litel worth and lesse he oowd
(155)
1058
1061
1064
1065
1068
1071
1072
1075
1078
1079
And pat she shold have his cunnyng* ezcusid
That litel was & eke he drad her so
And his vnworthynes he ay accusid
And aftir pat pan gan he telle his wo 1082
And ^ that was infynyte for Ay & oo^ t»-?» *n a ratktr uur kano]
And how he wold him alwey in troup hold
And his adew made and gan it fold 1085
[End of (he Letter.]
80
BOCCAOOIO'S FIL03TXAT0, BOOK II.
OHAUOIRS TBOYLUS AKD OBrSSTDK, BOOK II.
80
(107)
* Tou alone can console me : for God's sake, do it.
And on his cheeks all tearful
He bathed the gem, and then sealed it.
And first he kissed it a hundred times and more —
Saying : '' My letter, thon wilt be
Blessed, in hand of such a lady shalt thou come."
Pandaras, taking the moving letter,
Went to ChiyseiB, — ^who,
(108)
When she saw him come, leaving
The company in which she was,
(109)
Said : '* What afEair
Now brings thee hither) "
(156)
And wip his salt tens gan he bathe OMf nj
The mby in his cdgnet & hit sette
vp-on |)e wex deliuerlich and rathe
Ther-wi^ a fhowsand tymes or he lette
he kyssid ]>o ]ye lettre ]>at he shet
And seyd letttQ a blisful destyne
The shapyn is my lady shal |)e se
(167)
This Pandaie vp ^erm^ & |)at be tyme
On morow & to his necis paleys sterte
And seid slope ^e and it is pryme
And gan to iape & seyd ^us myn hert
So fressh is it thogh love it smert
I may slepe neu^re a mayes morow
I have a ioly wo & a lusty sorow
(158)
Criseyd whan pat she her vncle herd
With dredful hert and desirous to here
y^ cause of* his comyng ]m8 answerd
Now by jour feith myn vncle qt^xl she dere
What manere wynd gydith 30W hidir here
Tel vs jour wo and jour penaunce
how ferfoTp be je put in lovis daunce
(169)
By god qtttxl he y hope alwey behynd
And she to laghe as |)Ogh her hert^ to-brest
Qt£OCl Pandarus loke al wey ye fynde
Game in myne hood but herkith if jow list
\>er is right now come in-to ])is toun a gest
A greke a spye and tellith newe thinges
For which come y to telle jow tydynges
1086
1089
1092
1093
1096
1099
1100
1103
1106
1107
[1 MS. ht]
1110
1113
81
BOCOAGCIOS FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
CHAUOERS TROYLUS AND CRYSBYDB, BOOK IL
81
//i-' *' And some answer will make him joyous.
/. y ** Him whom for thee I seem to see
Dying, so little hast thou care of him."
-' Chiyseis remained timorously.
Without taking it ; and a whit her pleasant
Countenance changed.
" Oh I leave it not with me, my Pandarus !
//u "Have regard
Somewhat for me — ^not only for the young man.
'' Look now whether that which thou askest is befitting.
" And see whether I do well in taking it [the letter].
" And whether, to alleviate the pains
Of another, one ought to do an act dishonest in oneself.
" Carry it back, for the love of God ! "
(160)
In-to |)e gardyn go we & ^e shul here
Al pryvily of ])i8 a long sermon
WiJ) fat they arme in arme y fere
In-to ])e gardyn fro the chaumbir douii)
And whan ]>at he so ferre was fat fe soun
Of his wordis no man here myght
He seyd ]>U8 & out pQ lettre plight
(161)
Lo he ))at is al holy youris fre ciMf8t,bMk]
Kecomaundith hym as lowly to ^our grace
And sent to yow this lettre here by me
Avisith 30W on hit whan je have space
And some goodly answere 30W purchace
Or help me god so pleynly for to seyn
he may not long^ lyvyn for his peyn
(162)
Ful dredfully ])o gan she stonde still
And toke hit not and al her humble chere
Gan for to chaunge and seyd hym tiH
For love of god ]>at touchi]) such matere
Ne bring me none and also vnde dere
To myn astate have more reward y pray
Than to his lust what shold y more say \
UU
1117
1120
1121
(163)
And lokiih now if this be resonable
And letti]) noper for fauour ne for slouthe
To sey a sothe now were hit couenable
To myn astate by god & by your troufe
To takyn it or havyn of* hym roujje
In harmyng of my self or in reprefe
Bere it a-^en for hym pat je on leve
1124
1127
1128
1131
\
1134
1135
1138
1141
TROYLUS.
11
82
BOOCAOOIO'B FILOSTRATOf BOOK II.
CHAU0EB8 TBOTLUS AND CMYSXYDE, BOOK II.
82
/' 7 Pandarus, a Httle perturbed at this,
Said:
** This is a strange thing to think on —
That what is most desired by women.
Of this they all show themselves loth and indignant.
Before other people.
" Now this deny me not."
/ /^ She took it, and put it in her bosont
(164)
Pandare paji bygan for to stare
And seyd now \a fia fe most wondre
pat enere y say lete be fis nice fare
To dej« mote y smytyn be wip thundre
If for ye Cite whi<£ pat stondith yondre
Wold y a lettre to 30W bring or take
To harme of* ^ow what list ^e ^us to make
(166)
Bvt ^us ^e faryn wel ny al and some
That he ^t most desuritb 30W to serve
Ofi hym je recchyn lest wher he bycome
Or whethir he dye or ellis sterve
But for al ^t pat euere y may deserve
Befuse je it not quoci he & hent her fast
And in her bosom doun )>e httte cast
1142
1145
1148
1149
1152
1155
ChryseiB smiled, hearing him.
She promises to read the letter ; protests that, if she is
acting amiss, it is done to please Pandarus ; and prays Grod
^.^ to guide her simplicity. Then Pandarus goes ; and she
leaves her women.
(166)
And seyd cast it now a-wey anone CiMf n}
That folk may se & gawryn on vs twey
Quod she y can abyde tul they be gone
And gan to smyle and seyd hym Eme y pray
Such answere as )ow lyst hym purvey
For truly y nel no lettre wryte
No than wol y qiMxi he so ^t 36 endite
*
(167)
Therwtt^ she lough and seyd go we dyne
And he gan at hym self tho iape fast
And seyd y have so grete a pyne
For that euery othir day y fast
And gan his beet iapis for^ east
And made her so laghe at his fdly
That she for laghtir went* for to dy
1156
1159
1162
1163
1166
1169
83
B0GOA00IO8 PILOSTIUTO, BOOK II.
OHAUOBRS TR0YLU8 AND CEYSSYDS^ BOOK II.
83
She went into her chamber.
She read and re-read it with pleasure.
Z"^" She perceives that Troilus is indeed smitteiL This
pleases her, for she is the same, altho' she had not allowed
it to appear. She says to herself : ' I must find time and
y'o place to extinguish this fire. Otherwise people will discover
that I am love-lorn ; and it is no intention of mine to die,
or to make some one else die, when I can heal both to
/ ' ' our mutual satisfaction. Kext time Pandarus comes, I wUl
show no coyness. " ' No one shall have to call me pitiless
to Troilus : ah, were I but now in lus sweet arms, clasped
/ 5 face to face 1 ' " — Pandarus letamB to Chiyseis.
/'
And smiling he said : '* Lady^ what
Think'st thou of my friend's writing 1 ''
(168)
And whan jMtt* he was come in to ^e hatt 1 170
Now Erne quo& she we wol go dyne anon
And gan some of* her wymmen cafi
And gan streight vn-to her chaumbre gon 1173
But of her bysynes this was one
Among* o^er thynges out of* drede
Ful pryvily |)is lettre for to rede 1176
(169)
Avisid word by word in euery lyne 1177
And fond no lak* she ))oglLt he cowd good
And put hit vp & went her for to dyne
But Pandarus |)at in a study stood 1180
Ar he was ware she toke hym by p* hood
And seyd ^e were caught or je wyst
I wouchtf safi quod he doth right as ye lyst 1183
(170)
Tho wysshyn pei and setyn doun to ete 1184
And aftir none ful slely Pandarus
Gan draw hym to ^e wyndow next f* strete
And seyd nece ho hath arayed thus 1187
))e jondur hous |)at stont a foryens vs
Whiche hous quod she & come for to byhold
And knew it wele & whos it was hym told 1190
(171)
And fillyn for)) in speche of ^ingis smale Ctotf n, bMk] 1191
And setyn yn fe wyndow boje twey
Whan Pandare sawe tyme vn to lus tale
And saw wele her folk* were a-wey ^ 1194
Nece myn quod he tel on y sey
how like ye fe lettre jMtt he wrote
Kan he per-on for by my troup y note 1197
84
BOOOAOCIO'S FJLOaTRATOj BOOK II.
OHAUOER's TROYLUS and CR7SKYDK, BOOK II. 84
"5 She immediately turned led,
"Without saying any more but " God knows."
" Pray," said Fandarus, " think how to content him."
* I, e, (aooordiDg to the context in the FUoitrato) to send a
reply in writing.
* If Ghryseis yields to the pity which she feela for Trollos, we
might expect that he would Uiereby he miich (not ** little ") con-
tented. The meaning appears to be that, tho' she is willing to
content him as far as circumstances admit, regard for her reputation
will make his fruition scanty
•^ And she to him : '' I hardly know how to do it.^
Chryseis promises to write, as Pandarus presses her so
much.
'< But pray Ood the thing may go well 1 "
And she, in one comer
Of her chamber,
Sat down to write in this manner.
' I shall be glad to content you, so far as my honour and
chastity may allow. I received your letter ; but know not
how to meet your wishes, '' ' as I mean to keep well and
whole that which is most to be prized in the world — namely,
to live and die in honour.' " To gratify you would be well,
if the world were what it ought to be ; but, such as it is,
80 we must use it^ or else suffer the consequences
To the pity which made me feel for thee.
In my own despite, I must nevertheless yield —
Whereby thou will be little contented by me." *
(172)
TherwttA al rosy hewyd ]}o wax she
And gan to humme & seyd so y trow
Aqwyte hym wel for goddis love qwoc? he
My self' ^ medis wol ]ye l^^re sow .
& held his hondis vp & fil on know
JN'ow good nece be hit neuere so lyte
Jef* me ^e labour hit to sow & plite
(173)
3e for y can so write quod she ]k)
And eke y note what y shold hym sey
Nay nece quoi) Pandare sey not so
3et at ]7e lest thonk hym y prey
Of* his good wil & doth hym not to dey
Now for |ie love of* me my nece dere
Eefusith not at pis tyde my prayere
(174)
Depardeux qzMx) she god leve al be wele
God help me so \\a is ^e ferst letttt
))at euere y wrote ^e alle & euery dele
And in a closet for to vyse her bettre
She went & bygan her hert vnf ettre
Out of disdeynous prison) but a lyte
And sate her doun & gan her Isttt^ write
(176)
Of* which to t^ in short is myn entent
The effect as y can vndirstonde
She ]>onkyd hym of* al ]>at he wel ment
Towardis her but holdyn hym in honde
She nold not ne make her selfe bonde
In love but as his suster hym to plese
She wold ay fayn to do his h«rt an ese
1198
1201
1204
1205
1208
1211
1212
1215
1218
1219
1222
1225
^
85
B(KXIAOC10*S FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
CHAUCBR's TB0TLU8 AND CRYSBTDBj BOOK II.
85
^^% She folded it^ and sealed it, and gave it to Pandarus.
'J
* You will make allowances. Were it not derogatory, I
would willingly do as you wish. Possibly the time will
yet come. Be as patient as you can. " ' I say no more,
but that I pray God to content thy desire and mine.'
i>y
' But she will change her tone ere long.'
(176)
She shet it & to Pandare yn to gone
j?ere as he sate and lokyd in to the strete
And doun she set her by hym on a stone
Of laspar on a cusshyn wif gold ybete
And soyd As wysly help me god je grete
I neuere dyd a things wij more peyne
pan write f is to which je me constreyne
(177)
And toke it hym he ])onkyd her & seyd
God wote of thing* ful lothe bygu/ine
Comith ende good & nece myn cxyseyd
))at of hard to hym now be je wonne
Oght je be glad by god & jondur sonne
For why men seyn impressions lyght
Ful redy bene ay lighty to the flight
(178)
Bvt je have pleyd ^e tiiaunt ny to long*
And hard was it ymr hert for to grave
Now stynt ]>at ^e no longer on it hong*
Al wold ye ]>e f ourme of daunger save
But hasti]> 30W to do hym ioy have
For trustith wele to long don hardnes
Causith despite fill oft for distres
(179)
And ri^t as ]>ei dedarid )>i8 matere
lo Troylus right at \e stretis ende
Come rydyng wi|) his x* somme y fere
Al softely and ]>iduward gan he bende
\>er as ]>ei sate as was his wey to wende
To paleys ward & Pandare hym aspyde
And seyd nece y se ho comi]) here ryde
CiMfM]
1226
1229
1232
1233
1236
1239
1240
1243
1246
1247
1250
1253
86
BOGOAOOIO'S FIL03TRATO, BOOK U.
OHAUCBB'S TB0YLV3 AND CRY8E7DM, BOOK IL
86
(180)
fle not yn he eeyd as y snppoee 1254
lest he may think* ]>at ^e hym eschews
Nay nay quo& she & wax as rede as rose
WiJ) fat he gan her humbly to salewe 1267
WiJ) dredful chere & oft his hewis newe
And yp his look* debonerly he cast
And bekkyd on Pandare & for]) he past 1260
(181)
Ood wote if he sate on his hois a-right [Mu, bMk] 1261
Or goodly was byseyn fat ilk day
God wote wher he was lyk* a ma«ly knyght
What should y drecche or telle of his aray 1264
Criseyd which fat all fis fiog say
To tel in short she lykyd al in fere
his persone aray his loke & his chere 1267
(182)
TTia goodly manere and his gentilnesse
So wele fat neuere seth fat she was bom
Ne had she such^ loufe of' his distresse
ft how so she hath bene hard here byfom
To good hope hath she caglit a thorn
She shal nat pul it out f is next weke
Gk>d send mo suche femes on to steke
(183)
Pandare whiche fat her stood f sat by
Felt f e iryn bote and he gan to smyte
And seyd nece y pray 30W hertily
Tel me fat y shal axyn now a lyte
A woman fat were of* his def e to wyte
Wtt;t-out his gilt but for her lak* of* rouf e
"Were it wele do nay qiio^ she by my trouf e
1268
1271
1274
1275
1278
1281
87
BOOOAOOIO'b FIWSTRATOf BOOK IL
OHAUOBB*B TS07LU8 AUD CBYSEYDEf BOOK IL 87
(184)
Ood help me so quo^ he je sejn fill aothe
^e felyn wele jour self" fat j ne lye
lo ^end he ridith 30 quod she so he dojie
Wele quod Pandaie as j have told 30W thrie
lete be jour nycete and 3001 foly
And speM^ wi^ hym in eeyng of* his hert
lete nycete not do 30W bo^ smert
(186)
Bvt peron was to heve & to done
Considerid al phiff wele it may not be
For why for speche & it were al to sone
To graunte hym so grete a liberte
Eke pleynly her entent as seyd she
Was for to love hym vnwist if she mygbt
& gwerdon hym vnf no puxg but wiiJi siglit
1282
1285
1288
1289
1292
1296
(186)
Bvt Pandaie pQgKt it shold not be so
If that y may this nyce opinion)
Shal not be hold fully jeris two
What shold y make of |>is a long sermon
he must assent on ^t conclusion
Al for ]>e tyme & whan it was eve
And al was wele he roos & toke his leye
OMflft)
1296
1299
1302
/ - f.
Who soon, seeking for young
Tioilus, went to him with it.
(187)
And on his wey ful feuit homwaid he sped
And right for ioy he felt his hert daunce
And Troylus he fond alone a bed
That lay as done ^es lovers in a traunoe
Siytwiz hope and derk* desperaunce
But Fandare right at hys in-comyng«
he song as who seitll sumwhat y bryng*
1303
1306
1309
88
B00CA0O1O8 rJLOSTRATO, BOOK II.
Chaucer's troylus and cbysmyde, book ii.
88
And presented it to him with supreme delight
Who, taking it, read what was written therein,
With haste, and sighing,
Changing his heart according to the words.
Bat yet at last, pondering within himself
Well eyerything that she had written.
He said inly : " K I understand her.
Love constrains her ; hut, like a nusdoer,
She still goes covering herself under shield"
And the like appeared also
To Pandarus, with whom he spoke out all ;
Wherefore Troilus takes heart more than his wont,
Somewhat laying aside his sad distress.
(188)
And seyd ho is in Ms hed so sone 1310
I-heried ^us hit am y frend qtiod he
Who Troylus nay help me so pe mone
Quod Pandarus fow shalt arise & se 1313
A charme ])at was sent right now to fe
The which can hele ^e of* thyn accesse
So f&t ^ow do forth thy bysinesse 1316
(189)
Ye )»urgh fe myght of god qtwxJ Troylus 1317
And Pandare gan hym ^e lettre take
And seyd parde god hath holp ys
Have here a lyght & aepes lettiea hlake 1320
lord oft gan his hert glade & quake
Of* Troylus whil ))at he gan it rede
So as )»e wordis yave hym hope or drede 1323
(190)
Bvt finaly he toke al for pe best 1324
}>at she hym wrote for sumwhat he byheld
On which he ^oght he myght his hert rest
Al couerid she ^e wordis vndur sheld 1327
pits to ])° more wor])i parte he hym held
That what for hope & Pandarus byhest
his grete wo foryede he at ^e lest . 1330
(191)
Bvt as we may al day our selvyn se DMfSBtbiiek] 1331
The more wode or cole pe more fere
Bight so encres of hoop of* what it be
Therwith encresith eke desire 1334
Or as an oke comyth of a litil spire
So )»urgh ]>is lettie which ]>at she hym sent
Encresyn gan desire of which he brent 1337
89
BOCCACOIOS FILOSTRATOy BOOK II.
CHAUOBRS TBOYLUS AND CR78BYDB. BOOK U.
89
3 / From day to day his ardour grew the more ;
Andy altho' hope sustained him
To endure, yet was it heavy to the heart.
Wherefore more than once, from his great fervour
It may be guessed, he wrote letters.
(192)
Wherfor y sey alwey bofe day & nyght
This Troylus gan to desiryn more
Thurgh hope and dede his myght
To pres on as hy Pandarus lore
And wrote to her of« his sorowis sore
For day by day he lete her not refreyde
Jjat by Pandare sumwhat he wrote or sdyd
1338
1341
1344
zi
/3y
•-J-
To which sometimes a glad and sometimes a bitter
Reply came to him, — ^and often, and rare.
He often complained of Love, and of the procrastination
of Chryseis. Pandarus frequently used his urgencies with
her — " who, altho' she listened wiHingly to him, said : " * 1
can no more : I do towards him as thou badest me, dear
my brother/ " Pand, : * This is not enough : you must
console him and speak to him.* Chrys, : * Never : I wiU
never yield up to him my honour. I will always love him
as a brother.' Pand. : " * This crown [of chastity] the
priests praise in tiiose from whom they cannot £lch it.
They all talk like saints; and then they catch you all
napping. No one will ever know anything about Troilus.* "
^ Do good while the chance offers.' Chrys, : ' In aught not
J ^ toudiing my honour, I am his.' ' Pand, : * Then why would
^ you have hun die ? ' CJirys, : ' Ah, Pandarus ! you are my
' ruin I I shall lose my honour 1 ' " Now I can no more :
• / since such is thy pleasure, I am content to do his will.' '*
^J^J But, for Heaven's sake^ keep it secret, and make Troilus do
the same.' Pand, : ' No fear of that.' Chri/s. : * As your
own honour also is at stake, I can believe you will be
; silent.' Pand, : ' When shall Troilus come to speak to
you 1 The sooner the better.' Chrys. : " * Thou knoVst
TROYLUS. 12
'-i
(193)
And dede also his othir obs6?*uauncea
That to a lover longyn in that cas
& after ]>at his dees tumyd in good chaunces
So was he outher glad or seyd alas
And held aftir his gyltes & his pas
Ab aftir whicfi answers as he had
So were his dayes sory and glad
(194)
Bvt to Pandare was alwey his cours
And pytously gan alwey to hym pleyne
And hym bysoght of* rede & some socours
And Pandare ]>at sawe his wood peyne
Wax wel ny dede the sothe to seyne
And bysily wttZt al his hert gan cast
Some of his wo to sle and ^at as fast
(196)
And seyd lord & frend & brothir dere
God wote thy dissese do]>e me wo
But wilt }jow stynt al J^is woful chere
And be my trou]>e or hit be dayes two
And god to-for jet shal y shape it so
))at ))0W shalt come vn to a certein place
perQ as ])ow mayst thy self* pray her of grace
1345
1348
1351
1352
1355
1358
1359
1362
1365
90
BOOOAOCIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK H.
ohauoer's tboylus and crysbyde, book il
90
(T
that in this house there are women and others with me,
some of whom will have to go to the forthcoming feast ;
and then I will be with him. He must not he vexed at
this delay. I will then talk with thee of the manner, and
of his coming. Only see to his being discreet, and manag-
ing well to conceal his ardour.' "
r,
A..
(196)
And certeinly y note if" fow it woost Oearw]
But f fat bene expert in love hit sey
hit is on of* J>e thingis \a\, fiirthrif most
A man to have a leyser for to prey
And a sykir place his wo to wrey
For in good hert yt mote some wo impresse
To here and se ]>e giltlos yn distresse
(197)
Farauntir ])inkyst \om if it be so
That kynd wold do her for to bygynne
To have a manure routhe vp on my wo
Self daung67* fan f ou shalt me neuere so wyn
So rulith her her hertis gost with yn
])at thogh she bend 3et stont a root
What in effect is f is vn to my boot
(198)
Thenk her-a3ens fat whan fe sturdy okes
On whiche men hakkyn oft for f e nones
And receyvid haf f e gret fallyng strokes
))e grete sweyf* dof it fan fal at ones
As done f es rokkes or f es mylstones
For swyfter cours comif f ing fat is of weight
Whan it descendith fan do thingis light
1366
1369
1372
1373
1376
1379
1380
1383
1386
(199)
Bvt rede fat blowif doun wit/i enery blast
lyghtly cesid f e wynd it wil vp ryse
But so nel not an oke whan it is cast
hit nedif me not f e long for to wyse
Men shul reioyse of a grete emprise
Acheve it will & stond wif-out dout
Al have men be f e lenger f er about
1387
1390
1393
91
BOOOACXJIO'S FILOSTBATO, BOOK II.
CHAUCERS TBOYLUS AND CR7SB7DB, BOOK II.
91
(200)
Bvt TroyluB telle me if* )>e lyst 1394
A thing which y shal axyn ]>e
Which is pi brothir ]>at ]>ow lovist best
As fi verrey hertis pryvite 1397
I-wis my brothir deiphebus quod he
Quod Pandare or oures |n*ies twelve
He shal ]>e ese vnwist of* hit hymselve 1400
(201)
How lete me alone & work as y may cie«f 86. back] 1401
Quo3 he & to deiphebns went he tho
Which had his lord & grete f rend ben ay
Save Troylus no man he lovid so 1404
To telle in short without wordis mo
Qt^ Pandare y pray 30W deiphebt^ ]>at je be
Frend to a cause which ]>at touchi]) me 1407
(202)
Jes parde quod deiphebus wel ])ow woost 1408
In al ]>at eu^re y may and god to fore
Al nere hit but for men y love most
My brother Troilus but sey wherfor 1411
hit is for seth ])e day that y was bore
I nas ne neu^re to be y thenki
Ayens a thing ])at myght ]>e forthenk* 1414
(203)
Pandare gan hym to thank* & seyd 1415
Lo here y have a lady in this toun
That is my nece and caUid is Cryseyd
Which some men wold done oppression) 1418
And wrongfully haue her possession)
Wherfor y of jour lordship jow byseche
To be our frend wi]>out more speche 1421
V
92
BOOOACCIO'B FILOSTRATO, book II.
Chaucer's tsoylus and CBYSETDSf book it.
92
(204) .
"Deiphebits answerd o is not this
That few spekist of* to me f us strongly
Of Cryseyd my frend he seyd jis
Than nedith quod^ deiphehos hardily
^0 more of* fia for trustit& wele fat y
Wole be her champios) wit/i spere & jeid
I roght not ]yog& al her foos hit herd
(205)
Bvt tel me how for fou woost of* this mature
hit might best now availyn lete se
Qm(xI Pandare if« je my lord so dere
Woldyn as now do this honour to me
To prayen her to morow lo ]yat she
Come vn to )our hous ^our pleyntis to devise
her aduCT-saries woldyn of hit grise
1422
U25
U28
1429
1432
1435
(206)
if ]>at more y durst pray as now
& charge jow to have so grete travaile
To have some of* jour bretherin wif jow
That might in her cause bet availe
Than wote y she might neu^re faile
To be holp what at jour instaunce
What with her othir &endis sustenat^nce
DMfS7]
1436
1439
1442
(207)
Deiphebz<« whi<£ psi comyn was of kynd
To al honour and bounte to consente
Answerd hit shal be do & I can fynd
jet gretter help of^ this in myn entent
What wolt f ow seyne if y for Eleyn sent
To speke of* f is y trow it be the best
She may ledyn Pans as her lest
1443
1446
1449
93
BOOOAOCIO 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK II.
CHAUOEB's TBOYLUS and CB7SBYDB, BOOK IL
93
(208)
Of Ector whicfi is my lord my brothir 1450
hit nedith not to pray hym firend to be
For y have herd hym bothe o tyme & oper
Speke of Criseyd which honour ]>at he 1453
May 8ey not bet such hap to hym hath she
So nedith not vs more help to craye
he shal be suc^ right as we wole hym have 1456
(209)
Speke yow thy self also to Troylus 1457
On my byhalve & pray hym wij> vs dyne
Sir al this shal be done quad^ Pandarus
And toke his leve and neuere gan to iyne 1460
But to his necis hows as streight as Iyne
he come & fond her fro the mete arise
And sate hym doun and spak right in ]>t8 wise 1463
(210)
He seyd a vdrray god so y have roxme 1464^
Lo nece myn se je not how y swete
I note whe]>6r je me the more thonk conne
Be ye not ware how ])at fals polyfete 1 467
Is now about eftsones for jow to plete
And bring on 30W aduocaries newe
I no quo& she & chaungid al her hewe 1470
(211)
What is he more i^bout me for to drecche DMrs7.i»ck] 1471
And do me wrong* what shal y do alas
Yet of* hym self" no fing wold y recche
Ner it for Antenore and Eneas 1474
|)at bene his frendis in such man^ cas
But for J>e love of god myn vncle dere »
No fors of yt lete hym have al y fere 1477
94
BOCCAOOIO'S FILOSTBATO, BOOK II.
ohaugeb's tboylus and cryseyds, book II. 94
(212)
Wif-out fat y have y-now for vb
^ay q?<oJ Pandare it shal no ]>mg be so
For y have right now spoke vfi\h deiphebzi^
And Ector and myn othir lordis mo
And shortly made eche of* hem his fo
\>ai be my thrift he shal it neuare wyn
For oght he can wha/^ so fat he bygyn
(213)
And as fei castyn what was best to done
Deiphebus on his owne curtesy
Gome her to pray in his propre persone
To hold on pe morow cnwpany
At dyner which she nold not deny
But goodly gan to lus prayer obey
he thonkid her & went vp on his wey
U78
U81
1484
1485
1488
1491
(214)
Whan fis was done fis Pandare vp anone
To tel in short & forth he gan to wende
To Troylus as stil as eny stone
And al ]ns thing he told hym word & ende
& how fat Deiphebus gan he to blende
And seid now is tyme if* fat fou kunne
To here f e wele to morow & al is wonne
(215)
Now speke now pray now pitously compleyne
Leve not for nice shame or drede or slouf e
Some tyme a man must telle his peyne
Byleve it & she wil have on f e rouf e
J)ou shalt be savid by thi feitH & trouf e
But wele wote y f ou art now in a drede
And what it is y ley y can it rede
1492
1495
1498
1499
1602
1505
95
BOOCAGOIO'S rnjOSTBATOf BOOK II.
CHAUCEB*8 TS07LUS AND CBYSXTDB, BOOK II.
95
(216)
pow Jieiikist now how shold y do al this
For by my chore mustyn folk* aspye
That for love is ])at y fare a mys
Yet had y lever vnwist for sorow dye
Now ]>eiik not so for fovL dost grete f oly
For y right now have found me matere
Of sleight to keueryn al thy chore
(217)
pow shalt go to nyght & ))at as blyye
To deiphebu« hous as for to pley
The malady awey f e bet to dryve
For why ]>ou semist sike the sothe to sey
So aftir f&t doun in fi bed fe ley
And sey fou mayst no lenger yp endure
And be right tabide ])in aventttre
(218)
Sey ]>at fe feuere is the wont to take
The same tyme and last tH a morow
& let se now how wel )^u canst it make
For parde sike is he fai is in sorow
Gro now fisure wele and remia here to borow
I hope & pow fla purpos hold f erme
Thy grace she shal fully the conferme
(219)
Qiuod^ Troylus ywis now nedeles
Counceilist pan me ])at sike y me feyne
For y am soke in emest douteles
So ]>at wel ny y sterve for the peyne
Quo^ Pandare ]>ow shalt pe betir pleyne
And hast pe lease node contrefete
For hym m&ii deme hoot pat men se swete
CiMfss] 1506
1509
1512
1513
1516
1519
1520
1523
1526
1527
1530
1533
96
Boccaccio's filostrato^ book ii.
Chaucer's troylus and cr73BTDX, book u.
96
(220)
Lo hold pe at thy tristie doe and y 1534
Shal wele f e dere Tn to thy howe dryve
perwi^ he toke his leve al sof tily
And Troilus went to paleys as blyve 1637
So glad was he neuere in al his lyre
And to Pandaros rede gan al assente
And to Deiphebos hoas at nyght he went 1540
(221)
What nedej) me to telle jow al pe chere ciMf ss, imOl} 1541
That Deiphebus Tn to his broker made
Or his actis or his sikly manere
how me9» gan hym with clo]yes for to lade 1544
Whan he was leyd & how men wold hym glade
But al for noght he held alwey ]>e wise
pat je han herd Pandare or ]yis devise 1547
(222)
Bvt c^rteyn is or Troylus hym had leyd
Deiphebus had hym prayd ou^r nyght
To be a frend & helpyng to Criseid
God wote fat grauntid he a-none right
To be her fill frend with al his might
But such a nede was to pray hym pen
As to pray a wodeman for to ren
(223)
The morow come & neighyn gati y tyme
Wh&n fsA ]>e faire queue Eleyne
Shope her to be an hour af tir prime
"With Deiphebus whom she wold not feyne
But as his sustur homly fe sothe to seyne
She come to dyner in her pleyn entent
But god & Pandare wist non what it ment
1548
1551
1554
1555
1558
1561
97
BOOOACOIO'S FILOSTBJ.TO, BOOK II.
CHIUCKB'S TSOYtUS AKD CRTSSTDB, BOOK II. 97
(224)
Come eke Criseid innocent of* this
Anteigne her sostor Marhe also
Bat fle now prolizite hest is
For love of* god & lete vs fast go
Eight to J7e effect wip oat talis mo
Whi al ]>is f oik* assemblid in Jris place
& let YS of her salwyng pace
1562
1665
1569
(226)
Orete honour ded hem Deiphebttf certein 1669
And fed hem wi]> al fat mig&t lyke
Bat euermore alas was his refrein
My good trew bro]>ir the sike 1672
lith ^et & perwiy^l gan he sike
& Skfier fat he peynid hym to glade
heni as he might & good chere hem made 1575
(226)
Compleynid eke Eleyn of* his siknesse riMfso] 1676
So feithfully fat pite was to here
And euerj wight gan weze for fe accesse
A leche a-none and seyd on fis manere 1679
Men curith folk* ]>is charme y wol fe lere
But fer sat on al lest her not to toche
That |)0ght best cowd )et be his leche 1582
(227)
Aftir compleynt hym gannyn fei to plese 1683
As folk do ^et whan Rome men have bygun
To preise a man & vp vnf pria him reise
A Mt fold jet hier ]>an fe sun 1686
he is he can ^at fowe lordis kun
And Pandarus of fat ]>ei wold afferme
he not foryat her preysing to conferme 1589
TB0TLU8.
IS
98
SOOOACOlO'i riLOSTRATOy BOOK II.
OHAUOBB'B TR07LUB AND CBTBSTDM, BOOK II.
98
(228)
Herd alwey fia cnseid wele jnow
And exxery word gan for to notifie
For whicb wi]) sobre chere her hert log&
For ho ia he pat nold her glorifie
To wyn suc^ a knygfit to lyye or dye
Bat al passe y lest y to long* dwelle
For o peyn is not al ^t y of* telle
(229)
pe tyxne come fro dyner to ryse
And as hem oght pel risyn euerychone
And gun a while of* fia & pat devise
But Pandare brak al ]>at speche anon
And seid to Deiphebus wil ^e gone
If* it jour wil were as y jow prayd
To speke here of pe nedis of< Crisayd
(230)
Eleyne whicfi pat by pe hond her held
Toke f erst pe tale & seyd go we blyve
And goodly on Griseid she byheld
And seid lovis lete hym neuere thrive
))at doj) jow harme or bryng hym sone of lyve
& jeve me sorow but he shal it rewe
K pat y may & al folk be trewe
1590
1593
1596
1597
1600
1603
1604
1607
1610
(231)
Tel ))ou ]>i necis cas qr/oci Deiphebus ciMra9,iMwk] 1611
To Pandare for povL canst it best telle
Mi lordis & my ladies it stont pus
What ahold y lenger make jow dwelle
he long out pe processe as a belle
vp on her f oo ))at hight Poliphete
Bo haynous )»t men might on hit spete
1614
1617
99
fiOOOACCIO's FIWSTIUTO, BOOK 11.
CHAUOSIR'8 TB0YIV8 AW CRfSSTDEp BOOK 11.
99
(232)
Answerd of ]>is eche wors of* hem. fan ofer
And Poliphete gxm they to warien
hangid be sucti on were he my bro^re
& 80 he shal for he ne may not tarien
What shold y lenger in ]>is tale tarien
Fleinly at ones al fei her hightyn
To be her freTtdis al ]>at ]>ei mightyn
(233)
8pak< ))an Eleyne & seid |)an Pandarutf
Wote ogfit my lord my hrofer fia matere
I mene Ector or wote hit Troilus
He seid her je but he seid wol je here
Me thinkith seth pat Troilus is here
It were good if 30 wiH assent
She told hym her self* al fia or she stent
(234)
For he wil have more h^- grefe at hert
By cause lo ]>at she a lady is
& by jour leve y wole but right yn stert
And do 30W wyte & fat a-none y-wis
If fat he slope or wil not here of fia
And yn he lepe & seid hym in his ere
God have fi soul y-broght y have fi here
(235)
To smylyn of pis fo bigan Troylus
And Pandarus fo wip-out rekenyng*
Out went arnon to Eleyn and Deiphebutf
And seid hem so fer be no tarying<
Ke more pres he wole wele fat je bring*
Criseide my lady pat is here
^ 88 he may endure he wol ^ow here
1618
1621
1624
1625
1628
1631
1632
1635
1638
1639
1642
1645
100
BOOOAOOIO S FJLOSTBATO, BOOK II.
CHAUOSB^S TSOYLUS AND CKYSB7DB, BOOK II. 100
(236)
Byt wele 30 wote y chambre is but lyte Pmtm] 1646
& few folk* may ligbtly make hym warme
Now loki]> for y wole have no wyte
To bring in prese ]>at might do hy7?» hanue 1649
Or him dissese for my betir harme
Wher it be betir to byde tul eftsones
Now loki]> 36 pat wite what to done is 1652
(237)
T sey for me best as y can knowe
)>at no wight yn wend now but 30 twey
But it were y for y can in a throwe
Beherce her cas vnlike fat she can sey
And aftir ]>is she may hym ones prey
To be good lord in short & take her leve
pis may not mychil of* his ese hym greve
1653
1666
1659
(238)
And eke for she is straunge he wil forbore
his ese whicfi hym ogfit not for 30W
Eke of it fiagf ]>at touchi]) not to here
he wil 30W tel y wote it wel rigfit now
p&t secrete is & for fe tounis prow
And fe fat no ))ing knew of his entent
Without more to Troilu« yn fei went
(239)
Eleyne in al her goodly soft wyse
Gan hym salue & womanly him plye
And seid y-wis 30 must algate arise
Now fair brojwr be al hole y pray
& gan her arme on his right shuldir lay
And hym wip al her wit to comforte
As she best coupe she gan hym disporte
1660
1663
1666
1667
1670
1673
101
Boccaccio's filostrato^ book ii.
CHAUCER'S TROYLVS AND CRYSEYDE^ BOOK II.
101
(240)
So after ]>iB <iuod she we jow byseche 1674
My dere brof ir Deipbebus and y
For loue of god and so Pandare eke
To be good lord & frend ful hertily 1677
Vn to Criseid which Jat certeinly
Eeceyvi)) wrong as wote wel here Pandare
\>a\, can h^ ens wel bet ]>an y declare 1680
(241)
This Pandare gan now his tung* a-yyle [iMif4o,back] 1681
And al her cas reherce & |mt a-none
What it was he seid sone aftit in a while
QuodI Troillus as sone as y may gone 1684
I wole right fayn wip al my might alone
have god my troupe her cause sustene
Good ))rift have 3e quod Eleyne pe quene 1687
(242)
Haodt Pandarus And hit jour wil be
]}at she may take her leve or \ai she go
Or ellis god forbede it q?/od he
If ))at she Youchijy safe to do so
And wip pat word q?/o<l Troylus je to
DeiphebiM & my sustir leye & dere
To )ow have [y] to speke of a matere
(243)
To be avisid by jour rede pe bettre
And had as hap was at his beddis hede
]}e copie of* a tretis & a lettre
That Ector had hym sent to axin rede
If such a man was worthy to be dede
Note y not how but in a grisly wise
he prayed hem on it aruone Srvise
1688
1691
1694
1695
1698
1701
108
BOCOAOOIOS FIL03TRAT0, BOOK II.
Chaucer's tboylus and csyseyde, book ii. 102
(244)
Deiphebus gan ^is lettie to vnfolde 1702
In Ernest giete so ded Eleyne ]>e qwene
And romyng yritward fast it gan byhold
Donward a stair in to an herber grene 1705
pis ilk ]>ing yei reddyn hem bytwene
And largely fe monntaunce of an hour
]}ei gun on hit to redyn and to pour 1708
(245)
How lete hem rede & tume we anone 1709
To Pandare fst gan ful faste prie
Pat al was wele & out he gan to gone
Into ^e grete chambre and ]>at in hye 1712
And seid god save al pis cumpanye
Come nece myn my lady qwene Eleyne
Abidith 30W & eke my lordis tweyne 1715
(246)
Bys take wip 30 w jour nece Anteigne pmtm] 1716
Or whom jow lyst or no fors hardily
pe lasse prase the bet com forth with me
And loki)) pat je l^onld humbly 1719
hem al thre & whan je may goodly
)our tyme is taki]? of* hem jour leva
lest we to long< his restis hym byreye 1722
(247)
Al innocent of Pandarus entent I 1723
Qtiod po Criseyd go we vncle dere 1
And arme in arme ynward with hym she Went
Ayising her wele of< her wordis & chere
And Pandarus in emefullest manere
Al folk for goddis love y pray ,
Styntith right here & softly 30W play ' 1729
/
1726
103
BOOOAOCIO S FILOSTRATO, BOOK U.
OHAVOBR'S TB0YLU3 AND CRTSEYDE^ BOOK IL 103
(248)
Aym^ jow what folk be her yn 1730
And in what plite on iB god him amende
And ynwardly ]»iis fal softly begynne
Nece y coniure & holy 30W defende 1733
On his half which vs soule hath sende
And in ]»e yertue of corounys tweyn
Sle not ])i8 man ])at hath for 30 w ))is peyn 1736
(249)
For on his dele ])enk one which he is 1737
And in what plite he lith come of a-none
Thenk al sucll taried tyde lost it is
))at wil ye bo))e seyn whan y^ bene one 1740
Secondly ]»er it deignith none
vp on 30W two come of if )e kun
Whil folk is blent lo al ]>is tyme is won 1743
(260)
In tyteryng^ in pursute & delay es 1744
)>e folk* devyne at waggyng* of a stre
))(zt )>ogh 30 wold have af tir mery dayes
)>an dore ye not for why she & she 1747
Spak such a word ))us lokyd he & he
lest tyme be lost y dare not wi]) 30W dele
Come of J^erfor & bring je hym to hele 1750
(261)
Bvt now to 30W je lou6rs })at bene here j}mi4x, taok] 1 751
Was Troillus not in a kankerdorte
))at lay & myght the whistryng of hem here
And ]K)ght a lord now rennith my sort 1754
Folly to dethe or have arnone comfort
And was ]»e f erat tyme he shold her prey
Of lone a myghty Gk>d what shal he fley 1757
[End Qf Book IL]
104
UOCOAQOIO'S FILOSTRATOf BOOK II.
Boccaccio now reiuvokes his lady, as he prepares to re-
count the amorous bliss of Troilus. The Prince, tho'
still longing for more, was well pleased with the amount of
^ J ^ favour he already enjoyed from Chryseis. Pandarus, after
leaving her, rejoined him in a temple, drew him aside,
and said :
* I have fashioned Chryseis to your will.'
* The delight will be mine : to you am I beholden for
it' Pandarus was contented with the assurances of
Troilus.
Meanwhile the appointed time arrived. Chryseis called
i f for Pandarus, and told him as much. Pandarus regretted
that Troilus had gone away on some warlike emergency,
^ ^ but sent a messenger to recall him. The two friends con-
certed together their course of action. They then went
' ^ secretly to the house of Chryseis, the night being dark and
"■ " thick ; and Troilus entered alone into a private quarter of
the mansion, already hushed. '^ Chryseis had weU heard
him enter, and, as had been agreed, she coughed so that ho
should hear. And, in order that he might not be weaiied
in waiting, she often spoke in a decisive tone, and hastened
all her people off to sleep, saying that she felt so drowsy
that she could no longer keep awake." She then went
down at once to the lurking-place of Troilus, torch in hand.
** Him she saluted ; then said, as best she could, ^^ ' Sir, if
I have offended by keeping shut up in such a place thy
royal splendour, I pray thee for God's sake to pardon me.
sweet my desire.' " To whom said Troilus : " * Fair lady,
sole hope and bliss of my mind, the star of thy beautiful
face, splendid and lucent, has ever been before me, and
this little den has been dearer to mn, oertes, than my
palace : and to ask pardon for such a matter is out of
place ! " Then he embraced her, and they kissed mouth to
mouth. A thousand kisses and caresses succeeded, and
they mounted the stairs to the cliamber.
They undressed, and entered the bed ; where the lady,
already in her last smock, said to him playfully : ^ ' My
mirror, new brides are shamefaced the first night.' " To
whom said Troilus : '* ' My soul, I pray thee let me have
thee in my arms naked as my heart longs for.' " And she
then : " ' Away with it 1 ' " " And, throwing off her smock,
she quickly nestled into his arms ; and, clasping one
another with fervour, they knew the last bliss of love."
' And I should hope to return in due time.'
* Love has so enthralled me for you that, even if I wished
to be heart-whole, I could not succeed.'
' I will recall you as soon as ever I can.'
He returned at night to the same place of concealment
in the house ot Chryseis. She also came down as before.
Chryseis protests her love in terms of the most fervent
emphasis : Troilus does the like. They are both profuse in
lovers' prattle and in caresses.
The sun seems to them to have risen much earlier than
usual.
i</
105
BOOOACOIO'S FILOSTRATOy BOOK III.
CHAUOBB's TBOYLUS and CBYSEYDBf BOOK IIL 105
' All this, which in Chaucer ia an apostrophe proper to the poet»
is in Boccaccio a speech of Troilos.
* Mr. Bell, in his edition of Chaucer, speaks of the phrase
** with vapour eteme " as being obscure. It comes straight out of
Boccaccio — ** Con etemo vapor." This word " vapor " may readily
be understood as meaning " effluence, influence."
' Mr. Bell gives ** hem ** (them) in this line, and in lines 5 and
6 of the same stanza. It seems to be either a miswriting or a mis-
print ; for the true sense^ in Chaucer as in his prototype Boccaccio,
is conveyed by ** him."
O Eternal Light, whose glad splendour ^
Makes the third heaven beautiful, from which rain
down to U8
Pleasure, loveliness, pity, and love !
Loved one of the Sun, and daughter of Jove,
Benign lady of every gentle heart.
Certain cause of the good which moves me
To the sweet sighings of my weal.
Ever be thy virtue praised !
Heaven, earth, the sea, and hell.
Each feels in itself thy potency,
O clear Light ! And, if I discern the truth,
The plants, the seeds, and the grass, in like wise.
The birds, the beasts, the fish, with eternal
Vapour * feel thee in the pleasant time, —
And men and gods : nor does a creature
In the world avail or endure without thee.
Thou first to the high eflfects
For which all things live and are
Movedst Jove joyous, beautiful goddess ; and mild
Tliou often m^iest him * to the troublous works
Of us mortals ; and merited weeping
Thou tumest into glad and delightful feasts ;
And thou hast sent him down hither in a thousand forms.
When thou hast wounded him now for one woman
and now for another.
TROYLUa 14
BOOK IIL
(1) [Proem.]
blisful light of which fe hemes clere
Adomith al fe thrid hevyn faire
O sonnys leef O lovis doghtir dere
Plesaunce of* loue O goodly deboneyre
In gentil hertis redy to repeire
O \ermy cause of* hele & of* gladnes
I-heried be ]>i might and |)i goodnes
(2)
In hevyn & heH in erthe & salt see
Is felt ))i myght if* J)at y wil discerns
As ma7) * brid * best * fissh * herbe & grene tre
To fele in tymes wi|) vapour eteme
God louith & to loue wil not weme
And in fis wirk* no lyvis creature
WMout loue is worth or may endure
(3)
3e lovis ferst to ^ilk* effectis glade
J)urgh whiche J)at thinges lyvin al & be
Cowmodious & amerous hem made
Vnmortal fing & as je lyst ay 30
3af* hym in love ese or aduersite
And a Mt f ourmes doun hym sent
For loue in erje & whom je list je hent
8
n
u
15
18
21
106
BOCCAOCIO'S FTLOSTRATO, BOOK III.
Chaucer's tbotlus and CRTssYDgy book hi. 106
Thou, at ihy pleastire, inakest fierce Mars benign
And humble, and chases t away all ire :
Thou expellest cowardice, and with high disdain
Thou lillest him who sighs for thee, O Goddess !
Thou deserving and worthy of lofty lordship .
Makest every one according as he desires ;
Thou makest all courteous and well-mannered
Who are a whit inflamed with thy iire.^
' Hercules was in love : why not II I bless the moment
I fell in love with so perfect a creature — and all my love-
pangs ; and most of all God for having created her. For
others be realms, riches, arms, horses, woods, hounds,
birds, the studies of Pallas, and the prowess of Mars 1 For
me my lady suffices, and exalts me above Jove. Oh may
she never be another's ! '
Thou in unity houses and cities,
Kealms and provinces and the whole world,
Holdest, beautiful Goddess ; thou of friendships
Art certain cause, and dear fruit of them ;
Thou only knowest the hidden qualities
Of things — whence thou formest such a construction ^
That thou makest to marvel
Any who know not how to estimate thy power.
Thou, O Goddess, settest law to the universe.
Whereby it maintains itself in being :
Neither is any one »dvfTsr^ to thy son
But he repents of it, if he endures to be.
' It is curious to observe how Chancer sometiroes shufflefl about
Boccaccio's lines. In this stanza we have Chaucer*8 line 1 oorre-
sponding to Boccaccio*8 1 and 2 ; 2 to 5 ; 3 to 8 ; 4 to 3 ; 5 to 7,
but with the word "benigne*' coming out of line 1, where the
Italian poet applies It to Mars ; 6 to G ; 7 corresponds perhaps to
4, rather than any other line.
* "Onde il costrutto vi mettl tal,** &o. This phrase is not
entirely clear to me, but I understand it in the sense which the
translation conveys. Chaucer's expression ** may not construe,** &o.
is evidently derived herefrom.
(4)
5e fers Mars apesyn of his yre
& as 30W list je makyn hertis digne
Algatis hem ))at ^e wil set a fyre
))ei dredyn shame & vices ))ei resigne
3e do hem curteys to be and benigne
& hye or low aftir ]>at a wight entendith
j>e ioycs he hath ^our myght hym senditii
^e holdyn r^ne and hous in vnyte [i«ri«]
3e sothfast cause of frendshipe bene also -
Ye know al thilk* couerid qualite
Of l^ingis which ))at folk on wondrin so
Whan J)ei may not construe how it may io
She lovith or why he lovith here
As whi l^is fissh not comith to ]>e were
(6)
5e folk of* la we have set in vnivr??'se
And J)us know y by hem fat louors be
\)ai who so stryvith wif ^ow hath fe wcrs
l^ow lady bright for \>i benignyte
At reuerence of hem Jal servyn J)e
Whos clerk* y am so techith me devise
Some ioy Jrttt is felt in fi servise
(7)
Ye in my nakyd hertis iientement
Inheld & do me shewe of swetnes
Caliope fi voys be now present
For is now nede seest fou not my distres
how y mote telle a-non rli^'ht | e gladnes
Of Troyltts to Venus herying*
To whicb gladnes ho nede god hym bring*
22
25
28
29
32
35
36
39
42
43
46
49
107
OOCCAOCIoa flLOSTUATOy HOOK HI.
CHAUGEB'S TBOYhUS AND CRYSEYDE, BOOK IIL 107
(8) [I7l6 Story.]
Lay al pis mene while Troyiu
Eecordyng his lesson in pia manere
Ma fey j^oght he pus wol y sey and j^us
Thus wole y pleyne vn to myn hert dero
])at word is good & pis shal be my chero
\>ia wole y not foryetyn in no wyse
God leve hym werk as he gan devise
(9)
And lord so as his herte gan to quappe
heryng her come & shoil; for to sike
And Pandarus pat led her by the lappe
Come nere and gan yn at pe curtyn pike
And seid god do bote on al syke
Se who is here 30W comyn to visite
lo here is she pat is jour dethe to wyte
(10)
perwith it seniyd as he wept almost n«tri2,iMck]
Aha god help quoii Troylus so rewfuUy
Wher me be wo o myghty god J>ow wost
Who is ther y se not trewely
Sir <iito6^ Cryseyde it is Pandare and y
Ye swete hert alas y may not rise
To knele & do }ow honour in some wise
(11)
And dressid hym vpward & she right ))0
Gan boj»e her hondis vp on hym ley
O for loue of god do ye not so
To me qtiod she ey what is ])is to sey
For comyn am y for causis twey
Ferst 30W to thank* & of jour lordship eke
Continuance y wold 30W b yseke
r)0
53
56
57
CO
63
64
67
1
74
77
108
BOOOAOCIO'S FILOSTEATO, BOOK III.
ohauoer'b trotlus and crtsbtdb, book til 108
(12)
This Troylus J^at herd his lady piay 78
hym of lordship was neiper qwyk* ne dede
Ne myght o word for shame to hit sey
Al ))Ogti men sholden smytyn of lus hede 81
But lord so he wax sodenly rede
& Btr his lesson) fat he had wend had kon
To prayen her was ))urgh his h^ yrun 84
(13)
Cryseyd al fis aspyed wel y-now 85
For she was wys lovid hym neu^e J)e lea
Al nere he malapert or made avowe
Or was to bold to syng a fole a mes 88
But whan his shame gan sumwhat to passe
his wordis as y may rymes holde
I wole 30W teH as techyn bokys olde 91
(14)
Hym channgid voys rigfet for lus verrey drede 92
Whicti Yoys qnoke & also his manere
Goodly abasshid & now his hewe is rede
Now pale vn to Cryseid his lady dere 95
With loke doun cast & humble joldyn chere
lo alj^^erst word that hym a-stert
Was twies mercy mercy my dere hert 98
(16)
And stynt a while & whan he myglit out bryng* Pmt m] 99
The next was god wote for y have
As ferforthly as y have kunnyng*
Bene youres so god my soule save 102
And shal tul that y woful wight be grave
& Jogfe y ne dare ne can vn to 30W pleyne
I-wys y suffire not the lesse peyne 105
109
BOCKIAOCIO S FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
CHAUOER*S TBOYLUS AND CRTSETDB, BOOK III. 109
(16)
Thus mycB as now O womanlicfe wyf«
I may out bring and if it 30W displeso
That shal y wreke vp on myn owne lyf*
Eight sone y trow and do jour hert ese
If wijj my dethe y may jour hert apese
For setfi ye have herd me sumwhat sey
Now recche y neucre how sone fat y dey
(17)
Therwith his manly sorow to byhold
hit might have made an hert of stone to lewe
And Pandare wepe as he to watir wold
And seyd wo bygone bene hertis trewe
And procurid euer his nece new & newe
For loue of god make of hym an ende
Or sle ys both at onys or we wende
106
109
112
113
116
119
(18)
Y what quod she be god & by my trouthe
I note not what je wold y sey
y what quo& he pat je have of hym routhe
For goddis loue and doth hym not to dey
Now this qtKTdf she y wold hym. prey
To tefl me fe fjn of his entent
Yet wist y neuare wele what ))at he ment
(19)
What ])at y mene swete hert dere
Qf^ TroHus goodly fressh and fre
That wtt^ ]>e streme of )our eyen clere
ye wold some tyme on me rewe and se
And )»at ye agreyn ])at it may so be
WiJ>-out braunche of vice in eny wyse
In troa)>e alwey to do 30W my servise
120
123
126
127
130
133
110
BOCCAOOIO'B FILOSTRATOf BOOK III.
GHAUCEB's TBOYLUS and CBYSEYDB, book III. 110
(20)
As to my lady chef* & rlgM resorte
With al my wit and al my diligence
And y to have right as yow list co??ifortc
Vndiir 3our ^erde eke to al myn offence
As doJ)e if ))at y breke your defence
And yow deigne me so honoure
Me to comaundyn oght in eny houre
(21)
And y to be your verrey humble trewe
Secrete & yn my peynes pacient
And euermore desiryn fresshe newe
To serve and bene y-lyke diligent
And with good hert al holy your talent
lieceyve in gre how sore ))at me smeil
lo this mene y myn owne swete hert
(22)
flwodf Pandarus lo here an hard request
And resonable a lady for to weme
Now nece by natal lovis feest
Were y a god ye shold sterve as yeme
fat heryn wel J>is man wole no J>ing weme
But 3our honowr & sene hym almost sterve
And bene so iothe to suffryn hym jow servo
(23)
Wi]) pat she gan her eyen on hym cast
Ful esiiy and f ul debonerly
Avisid her and hyed her not to fast
With neuere a word but seyd hj7n sobrely
My honour save y wol treuly
And in such fourme as y can now devise
Eeceyvin hym fully to my servise
[leaf 48, back]
134
137
140
141
144
147
148
151
154
155
158
IGl
Ill
BOCCACCIO 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
CHAUCBR's TBOYLUS and CBYSBTDSf BOOK IIL 111
(24)
Bysechyng hym for goddis love ]jat he
Wold in honour of* troutti and gentilnes
Ab y wel mene f mene eke wele to me
And myn honour with wit & bysynes
Ay kepe & if y may do hym gladnes
Fro hena-fortfi y wis y wole not feyn
Now beth al hole no lenger ]^at je pleyn
(25)
Bvt natheles this wame y yow quo^ she
A kynges sone fogfe ye be y-wis
Ye shul no more have souereynte
Of my love ]»n right in ))i8 cas is
Ne y wil forbere if ^e do a-mys
To wratthyn yow & whil Jwtt ^e me serue
Gherise yow right as ye deserue
(26)
And shortly dere hert & al my knyght
Betfi glad & drawith yow to lustines
And y shal trewly with al my mygfit
your bittre tome al in to swetnes
If y be she fat may do yow gladnes
For en«ry wo 30 shul recoucre a blis
And hym in armys toke and gan hym kya
(27)
Pil Pandare on knees and vp his eyen
To hevyn threw & held his hondis hye
Immortal god qtio<) he fat ma3r8t not dyen
Cupide y mene of j»is mayst few glorifi
And Venus |)ow mayst make melodie
Withoutyn bond me semith ]}at in toun
For ))is miracle y here eche belle soun
Cl«af44]
162
165
.168
169
172
175
176
179
182
183
186
189
112
BOCCACOIOS FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
chaucbr's troylus and crtsbyde, book III. 112
(28)
But ho no more now of* pia matere
For whi this folk* wol come vp a-none
poX haue ))e lettre lo y here hem here
Bat aiorne Criseide and one
And ])e Troilus vfh&n pat ])ow mayst gone
)?at at my hous ye be at my wamyng*
For y f ul wel shal shape for yaur comyng*
190
193
196
(29)
And esith per ^our hertia rigfet y-now
And let se which of* jow shal here pe beH
To speke of* loue a-right J)er y-now
For pe)'e have ^e a leyser for to teH
Quod^ Troillus long shal it not dweH
Or this be don. quo^ he whan pou mayst rise
This ))ing shal be right as y devise
(30)
With pat Eleyne and eke Deiphebus [i«»t4i, imek]
They come vpwardis at pe stairis ende
And lord so gronith Troylus
his htoper and his sustir for to blende
Quo<) Pandare it tyme is pat we wende
Take nece myn jour leve at al thre
And let hem speke & comith forth with me
(31)
She toke her leve at hem ful thriftily
As she wel couthe / & pel her reuerence
vn to the ful dedyn hardily
And wondur wele speke in her absence
Of* her in praysyng* her excellence
her gouemaunce her wit & her manere
Comendid it was ioy to here
197
200
203
204
207
210
211
214
217
113
BOOOAOOIO'S nUOSTBATO, BOOK IIL
ohacobr's tsoylus ahd crtskyde, book III. lis
(32)
How lete we her wend to her o\7ne place
And tome we to Troylus a-yen
That yaf* ful lightly of Je pace
pat deiphebns had in fe gardyn seyn
And of* Eleyne and hym he wold feyn
Deliuerid be and seid ))at hym lyst
To slope & aftir tales have rest
218
221
224
(5)
3 " My friend, I felt so much for thee,
4 When this year I saw thee languishing
5 So strongly for love, that my heart suffered
6 In itself, for thee, great part of thy torment :
7 For, to give thee comfort, I have never rested
8 Until I have found it.
TROTLUB. 16
(33)
Eleyne hym kyst & toke her leve as blyve
Deiphebus eke & home went eu^ry wight
And Pandarus as fast as he may diyve
To troilus come fo as blyve a right
And on a paylet al J^at glade nyght
By troyllus he lay with blisful chere
To tale & wel was hem J)ei were in fere
(34)
Whan eu«ry man was voidid but ))ei two
And aH the doris were fast y-shet
To tell in short with-out wordis mo
This Pandare with-out eny lette
vp roos & vp on his beddis syde hym set
And gan to spekyn in a sobre wyso
To Troylus & how y shal yow devise
(36)
My alther levest lord and bro]nr dere
God wote and pow it sat me so sore
Whan y )>e sawe so langwisshyng to yeer
For loue of which J)i wo wax al wey more
That [y] with al my wit and al my lore
have euere seth do my bysinesse
To-bring J)e to ioy out of distresse
225
228
231
232
235
238
Cl««f45]
239
242
245
lU
fiOGOAOOIO'S FILOSTAATO, BOOK III.
OHAUOER's TBOTLUS and CR7SE7DB, BOOK III. 114
(6)
1 ** For thee I have become a go-between.
(6)
3 ** For thee have I comipted the pure breast
4 Of my sister,^ and have set in her heart
5 The love of thee : nor will long time pass
6 But thou wilt see this with more sweetness
7 Than my speaking can give thee,
8 When thou shalt have beautiful Ghryseis in thine arms.
1 " But, as God [knows] who sees all,
2 And as thou knowest, to this not
3 Hope of reward has induced me, but only the faith
4 Wliich as a Mend I bear thee, and which has brought
5 Me to work that thou mayst find mercy.
6 ** Wherefore I pray thee — so be not broken to thee
7 The desired bliss by evil Fortune ! —
8 That thou do act as a wise man ought.
(8)
1 ** Thou knowest that her fame is
2 Sacred among the people ; nor was ever said
3 By any one anything but aU good of her.
* '* Sorella " ; but this cannot be understood literally, aa we bave
seen (Canto 2, st. 20) that Cbryseis is the cousin of Pandarus.
(36)
And have it broght to such plyt as poM. wost
So pat thurgh me pow stondist now in wey
To faryn wele y sey it for no boste
And wost poM why for shame it is to sey
For pe have y bygun a game to pley
Which pB,t y shal neuare do for othir
Al ))ogh he were a thowmnd fold my brothir
(37)
That is to sey for the am y bycomyn
Bytwix game and emest such a mene
As makyn wymme?* vn to men to comyn
Thow wost fi self* what pat y wold mene
For the have y my nece of vices clene
So fully made thy gentilnes to trist
)>at al shal be right as thy selvyn lyst
(38)
But god pat al wote take y to witnes
j)at neuere.y for couetise fis wroght
But only to abregge thy distresse
For which welny f ow deydist as me foght
But good brothir now as the oght
For goddis loue so help her out of blame
Seth povi art wys so save al wey her name
(39)
For wele pou wost the name yet of* here
Among pe peple as who seith halowid is
For that man is vnbore y dare wele swere
]>at euere jet wist she did a mys
But wo is me J^at y pat cause al this
May thenk )^at she is my nece dere
And y hir eme and traytour eke y-fere
246
249
252
253
256
259
260
263
266
267
270
273
115
B000A00I0 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
CHAUCEB's TROYWS and CRYSBYDB, book III. 115
(8)
6 " This can never happen
7 Without great shame to me, who am her rdatiye,
8 And likewise her pimp.^
(40)
And were it wyst J^at j j^nrgK myn engyn QMfi^baok] 274
had in my nece put sucti a fantasie
To do ))i lyst and holy to be thyn
Whi al J>e peple would vp on hit cry 277
And sey ])at y ]?e worst trecherie
Ded in this cas ])at euer was hyganne
And she fordone & fovr right nogM y-wunne 280
(9)
1 " Wherefore I pray thee all I can
2 That this business be occult between us.
(10)
4 But, for God's sake, mind that the thing be unspoken,
5 And by no chance issue forth from thy breast,
6 O my dear friend 1 nor be displeased
7 If many a time I beseech thee of this :
8 Thou seest well that my prayer is befitting.
' ''Trattator" — one who treats or n^gociateB, a go-between.
Chaucer's word ** traytonr " is no doubt taken from " trattator " ;
but not with strict oorrectnees (if, as I presume, he means
" traitor " in the modem sense of that word), for '' traitor " is in
ItaUan « traditor.*'
(41)
Wherfor or y wole forjjer go a pas
Jje pray y eft al-fogt fow shuldest dey
That pryvite go with vs in this cas
That is to sey fat fow neu^re vs wrey
And be not wrothe j»ogh y the oft prey
To holdyn secre sucK a matere
For skilful is J)ow wost wel my prayere
(42)
And ihenk* wo per hatfe be-tid or this
For makyng avaunt as men rede
And what mischef* yet in ))is world per is
Fro day to day yet for that wikkid dede
For which these wise derkis pat ben dede
han euere prouerbyd yet to vs yonge
))e first vertu is to kepe wele pe tonge
(43)
And ner it for that y wole abregge
diffusion) of* speche y couthe almost
A ihowsand old stories the alegge
Of* wymmoT^ lost ))urgh fals & folis host
Prouerbis canst J)i self* y-now and wost
Ayens ))at vice as for to bene a blabbe
))ogh men soth seid as oft as pej do gabbe
281
284
287
288
291
294
295
298
301
116
aocoAoaio'B raosTRin, book hi.
OHAUOKB'S TSOYtaS AtTD CSTSXTDK, BOOK UL 116
(44)
tung* alas so oftyu here byf orn
hatH made fol meny a lady biigtit of hewe
Seyd wel a wey fe tyme J>at y was bom
And meny a maydenes sorow for to newe
And for pe more parte al is yntrewe
pB,i men of yelp and it were to prere
Of kynd none auauntour is to leva
302
305
308
(45)
For avauntottr & a Iyer al is one [i«f iq
As y suppose a woman grountitH me
her love and seith J^at oper wol she none
And y am sworn to hold it secre
And afbir y go telle hit two or thre
I-wis y am avauntour at pe leest
And a Iyer for y broke myn host
(46)
How loke ]»an if* pei be oght to blame
SucH manere folk* what shal y clepe hem what
That hem avaonte of wymmen and be name
That neu^re yet behight hem pia ne that
Ke knowyn hym [no] more ^an myn old hat
Ko wondur is so God me sende hele
))ogh women drede with ys men to dele
(47)
I sey not ])is for no mistrust of yow
Ne for no wyse man but for folia nyce
And for fe harme ])at is in ]^ world now
As wele for folye oft as for malice
For wele wote y Jat in wyse folk ^t vice
No woman dredith if she be wel a-yisid
For wyse mert by folys oft be chastisid
309
312
315
316
319
322
323
326
329
117
BOOOAGOIO'B FILOSTRATO, book III.
CHAUGBB's TBOYLUS and CRYSEYDBy BOOK III. 117
(10)
1 ** And nothing but time lacks to tliis effect."
(11)
1 Who could tell entire the joy
2 Which the soul of Troilus felt,
3 Hearing Pandarusi for his sadness
4 Went the more waning the more Tie spoke.
5 The sighs which he had in great abundance'
6 Gave way, and the evil pain
7 Departed.
(12)
1 And as the new spring
2 Of a sudden redothes with fronds and flowerets the
3, 4 Which have been naked in the rigid season, [bushes
(12)
7 Thus foil forthwith of new joy
8 Troilus laughed, serene in countenance.
330
333
336
337
(48)
But now to purpos leue brothir dere
have al ]>at y have seyd in mynde
And kepe the clos & be now of good chore
For at J)i day ))ow shalt me trewe fynde
I shal thy processe set in such a kynd
And god to-fom ]>at it shal the suffise
For it shal be right as ]>ow wylt devise
(49)
For wele y wote fow menyst wele parde
Therfor y dare this wel vndurtake
)>ow wost eke what ))i lady grauntid the
And day is set thy chartris vp to make
have now good nyght y may no lenger wake
And byd for me seth ^om art now in blis
pAt god me send dethe sone or lysse
(60)
Who myght telle halfi pe ioy or pe fest [Uif m, tMk] 344
Which ))at the soul of* Troylus tho felt
heryng j^effect of Pandarus by-hest
his old wo pat made his hart swelt
Gan po for ioy to wastyn & melt
And al pe rehetyng* of his sikes sore
At ones ]>ei fled he felt of* hem no more
340
343
347
350
(61)
But right so as pea holtes and ]>es hayea
That hane in wyntre dede be and drye
Eeuestyn hem in grene whan peX may is
Whan euery lusty lestith best to pley
Right in that self* wyse sothe to sey
Wax sodenly his hert ful of ioy
))at gladder was per neuer none in troy
351
364
367
118
BOCCACCIO S FILOSTBATOj BOOK III.
CHAUCBB'S TSOYLU8 AND CRrSBYDS, BOOK III. 118
(13)
1 And, after a little sigh, looking
2 Pandarus in the face, he said : '* Dear friend,
3 Thou must remember both how and when
4 Thou erewhile fonnd'st me weeping, in the bitter
5 Time that I nsed to have through love ;
6 And also the like when thy words sought
7 To get to know
8 What was the cause of my sorrowing.
(14)
1 " Thou knowest how long I held back from revealing it
2 To thee, who sole art my only friend :
3 Nor was there notwithstanding any penl in saying it.
5 Now therefoi-e think how I could ever do such a
thing —
6 Who, whilst I am saying it to thee,
7 Tremble for fear lest any one else should hear it.
(15)
1 ** But none the less I swear to thee by that God
2 Who equally governs heaven and earth, —
3 And so may I not come within the hands of hard
4 Agamemnon,^ — that, if my life were eternal,
5 As mortal it is, thou mayst live secure
6 That, to the best of my power, this knowledge
7 Shall be in my own breast.
' At this pointy Chauoer sabBtitates Aohillee for Agamemnon ;
bat he only postpoDes the king of men, who comes in in St 65, 1.
4. Perhaps he was guided by the reflection that Troilus did
actually, at last, &11 by the hand of Aohilles.
(62)
And gan his eyen vp on Pandarus cast
Ful sobrely and frendly vn to se
And seid frend in April the last
As well )»ow wost if )»ow remembre the
how ny fe dethe for wo ])oa feudist me
And how )»ow dedist al thy bysines
To know of* me fo cause of* my distres
(53)
Thow wost how long y hit forbare to sey
To the J^at art fe man ])at y most trist
And peril none was it to the [bejwrey
That wist y wele but telle if the Hst
Seth I so loth was that thy self* wyst
how durst y mo tellyn of* this matere
That quake now & no wight may vs here
(64)
But na)>eles by ])at god y the swere
paX as hym list may al this world goueme
And if< y lye Achilles with his spere
Myn hert cleue eJ were my lyf* eteme
As y am mortal if y late or yeme
Wold hit bewrie or durst or shold kun
For al pe good pat god made vndur sun
(55)
That Taper dye y wold and determyne
As thinkitb me stokkid in prison)
In wrecchidnes in filthe & in vermyne
Captif* to cruel kyng Agamynon
And pia on al the templis of* pia tou
vp-on pe goddis al y wole the swere
To morow day if it lyke the to here
[leaf 47]
358
361
364
365
368
371
372
375
378
379
382
385
119
BOGOAOCIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK IIT.
CHAUCBR's TSOYLUS and CRYSBYDE, book III. 119
V
(16)
1 '' How much for me thou hast said and done
2 I sufficiently know and manifestly see ;
3 Nor could I ever recompense thee
4 For every act
(16)
6 *' But hy our friendship I heseech thee
7 That thou no more give thyself that vile name.
(17)
1 " Leave it to the money-loving wretches
2 Whom gold induces to such a service :
3 TJiou hast done it to save me from the hitter
4 Plainings I was in, —
7 As should he done hy a Mend.
(18)
1 '* And, that thou mayst know how full
2 Good-will is home towards thee hy me,
3 I have my sister Polyxena,
4 Prized ahove others for heauty,
5 And also there is along with her Helen,
6 Most heautif ul, who is my sister-in-law ;
7 Open thy heart, if any of them is to thy liking, —
S Then leave me to go to work with any one of them.
(56)
A that pow hast y-do so myche for me
That y ne may hit neueTinore deserve
This know y wele al might y now for fe
A tJiowmnd tymes on a morow sterve
I can no more hut ])at y wole the serve
Right as thyn own whidir so J)ow wende
For euennore vn to my lyves ende
(67)
But here with al myn hert y ^e hyseche
That neuere in me ])0w deme such f oly
As y shal sey me )>oght hy thy speche
))at ^is which )>ow me doost for cumpany
I shold wene hit were a hawdery
I am not wood al-])ogh y lewd he
hit is not one f&t wote I wele parde
(68)
But he ^at gothe for gold or for ricchesse
On such message cal hym as }»e lest
And J^at )>ow dost cal hit ientilnesse
Compassiou) felawship and trist
Departe it for wyde wher is wyst
how ])at ])er is diu^rsite requirid
Bytwix thinges lyk as y have lerid
(69)
And pat ])ow know y ])enk it not ne wene
Tliat this servise a shame he or a iape
I have my fair sustir Polixene
Cassaundre Eleyne or eny of J>e frape
Be she neusre so fair or wele y-shape
Tel me which ])ow wilt of* euerichon
To have for ])ia & let me pBXi alon
386
389
392
393
396
399
400
403
406
407
410
413
120
BOGOACCIO'S FILOSTRATOy BOOK III.
CHAUOBR's TROTLUS and CR78E7DE, BOOK III. 120
(19)
1 " But, since thou hast done so machy far more than I
2 Could have prayed thee, bring to the effect
3 My desire when it shall seem to thee the time."
(60)
Bvt seth ])ow hast y-do me pis servise [iMf «?. book] 414
My lyf* to save and for no hope of mede
So for the love of* god ])is grete emprise
Parfourme it out for now is most nede 417
For hy or lowe with-outyn eny drede
I wole alwey this hestis afi kepe
have now good nyght & let vs hope slepe 420
(20)
1 Pandarus remained contented with Troilus,
(20)
2 And each looked after his own affairs.
3 But, although to Troilus every day appeared a hundred
4 Ere he should be grappling-to with her,
5 Yet he endured, and with the utmost self-control
6 He swayed the amorous assaults.
(61)
]?us held eche of hem with o])ir so arpayed
That al fQ world hit might not bet amend
And on the morow whan \>ei were boje arayed
Eche to his own nedis gan entende
But Troillus )>ogh as ])e fire he brend
For sharp desire of* hope Ss of* pleasaunce
he not foryat his wyse gouemaunce
421
424
427
' Chaucer reverses the poeition of these two lines, as they stand
in Boccaccio. Further on, st. 72, Chaucer uses the noticeable
expression —
*' Ther was som lettre hem byliwene
That wold, as seith myn autor^ wele contene
Ny half this booke, of the which hym-lest not write.'*
1 do not find any such expression in Boccaccio ; who does, however
(as we have already seen), speak of an interchange of letters, in B.
2, St. 131, and again in B. 3, st. 3. Another somewhat similar
instance occurs further on, in st 83 of the present B. of Troylus.
Chaucer says : —
** Noght lest myn autour fully to declare
What that she thoght whan that he seid so i "
but, in point of fact, Boccaccio does not only omit a detailed state-
ment of Chryseis* thoughts on this occasion, but the occasion itself
— ^the entire incident — is in Chaucer alone, and not at all in
Boccaccio.
(20)
8 Giving the day, with his men, to laborious Mars,
7 [And] the night-time to thoughts of love.^
(62)
Bvt in hym-selfi with manhod gan restreyne
Eche rakil dede & eke vnbridelid chere
That al J>o fat lyvyn soth to seyne
Ne shold have wyst by word ne by manere
What )»at he ment as touching \\s matere
From eche .in that as ferreias is the cloude
he was / so wele dissimulyn he cowde
(63)
And al f is whil J)at y now devise
This was his lyf* with al his ful myght
By day he was in martis hye servise
That is to sey in armes as a knyght
And for J)e most parte the long* nyght
he lay & thoght how fat he myght serve
his lady best her thonk* for to deserve
428
431
434
435
438
441
^
121
BOCOAOOIOS FIWSTRATO, BOOK III.
Chaucer's troylus and cryseydk, book hi. 121
(64)
Vel y not swere al)>ogti he lay softe
]?at in his thog&t he was sa7nwhat dissesid
Ne ]yat he tumid on his pilwis oft
And wold of* ])at he myssid have be seaid
But in such cas men be not alwey plesid
For oght y wote no more ])an was lie
That y can deme of possibilite
442
445
448
(65)
But certeyn is to purpos for to go [ie*f «]
That in ^is while as wiityn is in geest
he sey his lady sumtyme and also
She with hym spak whaTi ))at she durst & lest
And by her boje avys as was the best
Apoyntedyn ful warly in this nede
So as ])ei durst how ferre }»ei wold procede
(66)
But hit was spoke in so short a wyse
In which aweyte alwey & in which fere
lest eny wight devynid or devise
Wold in fis speche or to hit ley an ere
pat al fis world so leef to hem ne were
As ])at cupide wold hem space sende
To make of< her speche a right ende
449
452
455
456
459
462
TROTLUB.
16
(67)
But ))at litil ^at they spake or wroght
his wise gost toke ay of* al such hede
hit semyd her he wist what she thoght
Wi]H)ut word so ^at it was no nede
To bid hym noght to do ne noght forbede
For which she ])oght al-};ogh he come late
Of al ioy had openyd her J)e yate
463
466
469
122
BOOOACGIOS FILOSTRATOf BOOK III.
OHAUOKR'S TROYLUS and CRYSBYDBf BOOK ITI. 122
(68)
Al shortlj to ^is p7*(7ce8se forth to passe
So wele his work* his wordis he hyset
pat he so ful stode in his lady grace
pat XX thowsand tymes or fat she let
She thonkid god fat euere she wif hym met
So couthe he hym goueme in seroise
That al the world ne myght it bet devise
(69)
For why she fond hym so discrete in aH
So secrete and in such obseruaunce
pat wele she felt he was to her a wal
Of* stele and sheld from euery displesaunce
That to hem in his good gouemannce
So wys she was ])at she was more arferd
I mene as fere as it oght be requer^
470
473
476
477
4d0
483
(70)
And Pandarus to quyke evir fe fire
Was eucre ylyk* prest and diligent
To ese his frend was set al his desire
he shove ay on [&] to and fro he went
he le^^res bare whan Troylus was absent
That neuere man as in his frendis nede
Ne bare hym bet fan he wif-ontyn drede
(71)
But now pcrauntre some men waytin wold
That euerj sond or word or loke or chere
Of Troilus })at y rehercyn shold
In al f is wise vn-to his lady dere
I trow it were a long thing for to here
Or of that sight fat stont in such disioynt
his wordis alle or euery loke to poynt
[lMf48,bii«k}
484
487
490
491
494
497
123
BOGGA00IO8 FILOSTBATO, BOOK III.
CH auger's TR0YLU8 AND CRTSSTDK, BOOK III. 123
(72)
Forso|»e y have not herd it dos) or fis 498
In story none ne no man here y wene
And ]K)gh y wold y conthe not y-wis
For per was some lettre hem bytwene 501
pBi wold as seith myn autot^r wele contene
Ny half* ))is booke of fe which hym lest not write
how shold y ^an a lyne of it endyte 504
(73)
But to fe grete effect ])an sey y thus 505
)>at stondyng in corde and in quiete
This ilk twey Cryseid and troylus
As y have told & in ))is tyme swete 508
Sayely oft myght pei not mete
Ne leyser have her speches to fdlfille
bat hit hyfel right as y shal yow telle 51 1
(74)
pat Pandare which p&t enere ded his myght
Eight for ^e fyn ^at y shal speke of* here
As for to bring to his hous sum nyght
his faire nece and Troylus y-fere
Wher as at leyser al pis hye matere
Touching her love were at fill vp bound
had out of doute a tyme to hit found
512
515
518
(75)
For he with grete delib^racion cieafM]
had euery j>ing* ^at herto might availe
Forcast and put in execucion
And neiper left for cost ne for trauaile
Come if* hem lest hem shold no }»ing faile
Ne for to bene in oght aspyed there
That wist he an impossible were
519
522
525
124
Boccaccio's filostrato, book hi.
CHAUCBR'B TSOriUS and CRYSS7DS, BOOK III. 124
(76)
Dredles hit was clere in the wynd
Of* euery pye and eucry letgame
Now al is wele for al fis world is blynd
In this matere bothe frende & tamo
This tymbre is al redy for to frame
vs lakkith noght but fat we wytyn wold
A certein hour in which we comyn shold
526
529
532
(77)
And Troylus fat al this purveaunce
knew at the ful and waytid on hit ay
had here-yp-on eke made his ordinaunce
And found his cause & fer-to al the aray
]>at if ])at he were missid nyght or day
Tlie while he was about f is servise
Thal^ he was gone to done his sacrifise
(7?)
And moost at such a temple a lone wake
Answerid of Apollo for to be
And ferst to se f e holy Lanrere quake
Or ])at the god spak out of* the tre
To telle hym next whan fat f e grekis shold fle
And for-thy let hym no man god forbade
But prayeth Apollo help hym- in his nede
(79)
ITow is ^er litil more for to dono
But Paudare vp & shortly for to eeyn
lo sone vp chaungyng of the mone
Whan lightles is fe world a nyght or tweyn
An tliat f e welkyn shope hym for to reyn
he streight a morow yn-to his nece went
Ye have wele herd the fyn of* his entent
533
536
539
540
543
546
547
550
553
125
fiOGGAOOIo's FlWSTRATOf BOOK 111.
CHAUCER'S TROYWS AND CEYaEYDS, BOOK 111. 125
(80)
Whan he was come he gan ariione to pley [iMifM,t»ck] 664
As he was wont & of) hymself to iape
And fynaly he swore and gan her sey
Be ])is & that she shold hym not ascape 557
Ne done hjm lenger aftir her to gape
But certeinly she must by her leve
Come soupe in his hous with hym at eve 560
(81)
At which she lough & gan her fast excuse
And seyd it reynith lo how shold y gone
let be quod he ne stond we ])us to muse
This must be don ye shul be per Srnone
So at |»e last herof they fil at one
Or ellis soft lie swore her in her ere
he wold neuere come more a-yen )>ere
(82)
8one affcir this she gan to hym rowne
And axid hym if* Troillus were there
he swore her nay for he was out of* toun
And seyd y suppose that lie were there
Yow durst have neuere the more fere
For leiper ])an men myght hym ther aspye
Me were lever a thowsand fold to dye
561
564
567
568
671
574
(83)
Voght lest myn autoz^r fuUy to declare
What ])at she thoght whan ]yat he seid so
That Troilus was out of toun y-fieire
As if he seyd therof* sothe or no
But ffirwith out with hym to go
She grauutyd hym seth he her bysoght
And as his nece obeyed as her oght
575
678
681
126
B0C0ACX3I0S FILOSTBATOf BOOK III.
CHAUOEB'S TR07LUS AND CRYSBYDSy BOOK III. 126
(84)
Bvt yet natheles she hym did byseche
Al-])ogfi wi]» hym to go it was no fere
For to be ware of* gosisshe^ peple speche
pai drem3m thinges which pat neu^re were
Ss wele aviso hym what pat he broght ])ere
And seid Em seth y must on yow trist
loke al be wele y do now as ye lyst
582
585
588
(86)
He swora her by stokkis & by stones
And by the goddis pat in hevyn dwell
And ellis wer hym lever soul & bones
With Pluto kyng as depe be in helle
As Mancalus what shold y more telle
Whan pis was do he roos & toke his leve
And she to soper come whan it was eve
(86)
With a certeyn of her owne men
And wip her fair nece Anteigne
And her wymmen wele a .ix. or .x.
But who is glad who now as trow ye
But Troilus pat stood & myght it se
Thurgh-out an hole wip-yn a litil stewe
Ther he beshit tul mydnight was in mewe
(87)
TJnwist of* eu^ry wight but of* Pandare
But to pe point now whan she was come
With al ioy and al frendis fare
Her eme anone her hath in armes nome
And aftir to the Soper aH and some
Whan tyme was ful soft pei hem set
Gk)d wote per was no dejrnte for to fe
[leafM]
589
592
595
596
599
602
603
606
609
127
BOOCACOIO S FIL08TRAT0, BOOK III.
GHAUOEB'S TROYLUS AUD CRYSEYDB, book III. 127
(88)
And aftir soper gun they for to rise
At ese wele vriVi hertis fressh & glade
And wele was hjm p&t be8t'Coa}»e devise
To lykyn her or pat laughe made
he song she pleyd he told pe tale of Wade
But at ^e last as euerj thing hath ende
She toke her leve and nedis wold wende
610
613
616
(89)
But o fortune executrice of weidis
influens of thes hevenis hye
Soth is ])at vndre god ye bene our herdis
J^ogh to vs bestis is J)e cause y-wiye
1 mene it now for she gan home to hye
But execut was al byside her leve
j>G goddis wiH for which she must byleve
617
620
623
(90)
The bente mone wi]) his homys pale [laafM^baok] 624
Satume & lovis in cancro lovis were
)pat madyn such a reyne fro hevyn a-vale
That eu6ry manure woman ])at was there 627
had of fia smokis rayn a verrey fere
At whi<£ Pandare lougfi & seid then
Now were it tyme al best to go hen 630
(91)
Byt good nece if* y might euere plese
Yow wiVi eny fing* ^an pray y yow qwiJ he
To do myn hert as now so grete an ese
. As for to dweH here al pia night with me
For whi J)is is your own hous parde
Now be my trouth y sey it not a game
To gone as now hit were to me a shame
631
634
637
128
B00GA0GI0 8 FJLOSTRATO^ BOOK lU.
GHAUCBB's TBOYLUS and CErSEYDE, BOOK III. 128
(92)
Cryseide whic& fai coude as micb good
As half* a world toke hede of* his piayere
And sey hit rone and al was on a flood
She ])oght as good chepe may y dwellyn here
And grannie hit frendly wi)> a frendis chere
And have a ])onk as grucche & yan abyde
For home to go it may not wele betyde
(93)
Twis quodi she myn ynde leue and dere
SetH yat ^ow list it is skil hit be so
I am right glad wip 30W to dwellyn here
I seyd but a game fat y wold go
I-wis graunt mercy nece quo& he tho
Were it a game or none pQ Bofe to tell
Now am y glad seth pat ^e wolyn dwett.
638
641
644
645
648
661
(94)
pus al is wele but ^0 bygan a right
The newe ioy and all pe feest Sryen
But Pandare if goodly he had myght
he wold have hyed hym to bed fayn
And seid lord )»is is an honge payn
J)is were a wedir for to slepyn yn
And y rede vs sone for to begyime
(95)
And nece wyte ye wher y wil jow ley
For ]»at we shul not lye ferre a sundre
And for ye sholdyn neiper dare y sey
here noyse of rayn ne of* thuudre
By god right yn my litil closet yondre
And y wole in this litil hous alone
Ben wardeyn of" yow wymmen euerychonc
[lMf51]
652
655
658
659
662
665
129
BOCCACCIO 3 FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
Chaucer's troylus and cbyseydb, book hi. 129
(96)
And in pia middil chaumbie p&i ye se
Shul your wymmen slepe wele & softc
And ])er y seyd elial your selvyn be
And if ye ligge wele to nig&t comitll ofte
And caiith not what wedns be alofbe
Goth yn Srnone & whan so psi ye ly«t
Go we slepe y trow it is the best
(97)
Ther is no more but her aftir sone
They voydid & drunk & curtyns drew anone
Gan eu6ry wight p&t had not ellis to done
More in ])at place gan out of* chambre gone
And euermore so stemelich it rone
And blew ])erwith so wondirliche lowd
f)B,t welny no man her3ni othir cowd
666
669
672
673
676
679
(98)
po Pandare her £me right as hym oght
Wi)> women such as were her moost about
Ful glad vn to her beddis syde broght
And toke his leve & gan ful lowe to lout
And seyd here at ])is closet dore wi])-out
Eight ouerthwart your woman liggyn aU
f)B,t whom yow lyst of hem ye may her caBi
680
683
686
(99)
So wlian she was in pe closet leyd
And al her wymmen f ortli by ordenaunce
A bed werin fere as y have said
There was no more to skipa ne to taunce
But bodyn gone to bed with myschaunce
If* eny man was steryng eny where
And lete hem slepe ])at abed were
TROTLC8.
17
687
690
693
130
BOOCACXJIOS FILOSTRATOf BOOK IIL
chauoer's tboylub and csyssyde, book iu, 130
(100)
And Pandare pat cowd wel eche a dele [Imt si, iMnk] 694
The old daunce & enery poynt thei-in
Whan ])at he wist ))at al fing was wele
he ])oght he wold vp on his werk* bygin 697
And gan pe stewe dore al soft ynpyn
And stil as stone wi))oat more let
By Troylus a-donn riglit he hym set 700
(101)
And shortly to fe poynt right to gone
Of* al ])is werk* he told hym word & ende
And seyd make the redy right arnone
For fou shalt to hevyn blis wende
Now blisfal Venus pan me grace sende
Quo3 Troylus for neuer yet no nede
Had y or now ne halvyndel the drede
(102)
diw^ Pandare ne drede pe nenere a dele
For hit shal be right as ])0W wilt desire
So thryye y pis night y shal make it wele
Or cast al pe grewel in the fire
Now seynt Yeniis fis night pou me enspire
QtM7cl Troylus as wisly y the serve
And eucre bet & bet shal tul y starve
(103)
And if y had o xentts ful of mirthe
Aspect bad of* Mars or of« Satume
Or )?ow cumbrid or let were in my birthe
Thy fadir pray al filk* harme disturne
Of* gjace & fat y glad a-yen may returne
For love of hym f ow lovedist in J>i sawe
I mene Adon fat wif pe bore was slaw
701
704
707
708
711
714
715
718
721
lai
BOOOAOOIO'S FJLOSTRATO, BOOK III.
CHAUOER's TROYLUS and ORrSEYDEf BOOK 111. 131
(104)
loue for fe loue of* fair Europe
))e whicH in forme of bole arwey fon fet
Now help mais wip |)i blodj cope
For ])e love of Giphis fat ]yow ne lette
O ThobiLs ])enk whan diane her self* shet
yndur fe bark & lawrer wax foi-diede
Yet for her love o help me at ])is nede
(106)
Mercury for fe love of* hyerce eke [leaf 52]
For which Pallas was with aglauros wro})e
Now help & diane eke y the byseke
That pis yiage be not in the lothe
Of* f atale sustrin which or eny clo]>e
Me shapyn was my destyne me sponne
Now helpith to pia werk psi is begonne
(106)
Quod Pandare pan wrecchid mousis hert
Art ])ow a-gast lest she wole ])e byte
Why do on p\a furrid cloke on thi shert
And f olow me for y wol have fe wyte
But byde <fe lete me go byfor a lyte
And wi)» ])at word he gan yn-do pe trappe
And TroiluB he broght yn by f e lappe
(107)
pe steme wynd so lowd gan to route
pat no wight otheris noyse myght here
And phi pai lyen at the dore withoute
Ful sykirly pel slepyn al y-fere
Qtiod Pandare with a ful sobre chore
Goth to dore a-none with-out lette
Ther as ))ei lay and softly hit shet
722
725
728
729
732
736
736
739
742
743
746
749
132
BOCCA00IO*8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK HI.
CUAUCSR'B TBOYLUS and CRYSSYDBf BOOK HI. 132
(108)
And as he come a-yenwaid pryvily
his nece arwoke & seid ho goth theie
My dere nece quod Pandare it am y
Ne wondrith not ne have of* it no fere
And nerre he come & seyd her in her ere
Ko word for loue of god y now byseche
let no wight a-iise & here of* our speche
760
763
766
(109)
What which wey be ye comyn b^nedicite
Qt^od she & how thus vnwist of* hem ati:
her at ])is secre trapdore quod he
Quod ]h) Criseide Let me sum wight caB.
£y god f orbede ])at it shold fail
Quod Pandare ])at ^e such foly wroghtyn
pei might deme ping fei neuere ere )>oghtyn
(111)
Vow nece myn ye shal wele vndirstand
Qt^od he so as ye wymmen demyn aH
))at for to hold in love a man in hand
And hym her lyf* and her dere hert catt
And makyn hym a howe arboue a call
I mene as love a nothir in pia while
She doth her self* a shame and hym a gyle
767
760
763
(110)
Hit is not good a slepyng hound to wake [iMf m, bwkj 764
Ne yeve no wyght a cause to devyne
Your wymmen all y dare vndirtake
Slepe pat for hem men myght piB house myne
And slepe willyn tul the sonne shyne
And whan my tale is broght to an ende
vnwist right as y come so wole y wende
767
770
771
774
777
133
BOGOACOIO*S FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
CH4U0BR's TBOYLU8 AND CRYSB7DS, BOOK III. 133
(112)
How wherby f&t y tell^ yow al this
Ye wote your self as wele as eny wiglit
how fat your love fully grauntid is
To Tioylus ))e worthiest knyght
On of ))is world & ^erto tiou])e y-plight
))at hut it nere one a long ye nold
hym neuere falsyn whil ye lyve shold
(113)
How stant it ])us fat setH y fro yow went
This Troylus platly for to seyn
Is ])urgh a gotur hy a pryve went
In-to my chamhre y-come in al ])is reyn
vnwist of* eny maner wight certeyn
Save of* my self as wisly have y ioy
And hy pat feith y ow Pryam of troy
778
781
784
786
788
791
(114)
And he is come in such peyn & distresse
))at hut he he al folly wood hy this
he sodenly mote fal in-to woodnes .
But ifi god help & cause whi is fia
he Beif hjm told is of* a &end of his
how )^at ^e shold love on hat horaste
For sorow of* which ))is night wol he his last
792
795
798
(115)
Cryseid ]>at which of fla wondur herd
Gran sodenly arhout her hert cold
And with a sike ful sorowfiilly answerc?
Alas y wend who so talys told
My dere hert wold me not hold
So lightly f als alas conseitee wrong*
What harme f ei done for now y lyve to long*
[torfw] 799
802
805
1S4
BOGOAGGIO'S FILOSTTRATO, BOOK III.
CHAUCSR's TROYLUS and CRY8EYDM, BOOK III. 134
(116)
Hoiast alas and falsyn Troylus
I know hjm not god help me so quod she
Alas what wikkid spiryt told hym f us
Now ce^-tis Eme to morow & y may hym se
I shal of* )}at as fully excuse me
As did enei'Q woman if* fat hym lyke
And with fat word she gan ful sore to sike
806
809
812
(117)
God quo& she so worldly selynesse
Which clerkis callyn fals felicite
Y-medlid is with meny a bittimes
Ful anguisshous it is god wote quod^ she
Condicion of* veyne prosperite
For two ioyes comyn not y-fere
Or ellis no wight hath hem long here
(118)
Bbrotul wele of" mannys ioy vnstable
"Wif what wight f ow be how so fat f ou pley
Eif er he wote fat f ow ioy art mevable
Or wote it not it mote be on of twey
Now if* he wote it not how may he sey
That he hath verrey ioy & selynes
pat is of* ignoraunce ay in derknes
(119)
How if he wote fat ioy is transitorie
As euery ioy of worldly f ing must fle
pem enei'j tyme he hath fat in memory
The drede of* lesyng makith hym fat he
May in no parfite selynes be
& if* to lese his ioy he set not a myte
J3an seraith hit fat ioy is worth ful lyto
813
816
819
820
823
826
827
830
833
135
BOOOAOOIO'a FILOSTAATOf BOOK III.
CHAUCBR's TBOYLUS and CRTSEYLE, book III. 136
(120)
Wherfor y wold devyne in pia mateie lim^u. bMk] 834
That trewly for oght y can aspye
Ther is no verrey wele in f is world here
For ])ow wikkid serpent ielosye
Thow mysbylevid envyous folye
Why hast fau. fuB troylus me made vntrust
))at neuer yet a-gilt hym pat y wist
(121)
Quodf Pandare pua fallyn is pia cas
Why vncle qiw& she ho told hym this
Whi doth my dere liert ])us alas
3e wote ye nece myn quod he what is
I hope al shal be wele pat is a mys
For ye may quench al J^is if ye lest
And do); right so for y hold it pe best
837
840
841
844
847
(122)
So shal y do to morow ywis quo& she
And god to-fom so ])at it shal suffise
To morow alas pat wer fair quod he
Nay nay it may not stond in fis wyse
For nece myn pis writyn clerkis wise
J)at peril is with drecchyng in y-drawc
Nay such a-bodis be not worth an hawe
848
851
854
(123)
Hece al J^ing ha)) tyme y dare ayowe
For whan a chambre a fyre is or an hatt
hit nedidi more sodenly hit to rescow
Than to dispute & axe amongis oB
how is pis candeH in pe straw y-fafi
A benedicite for al among pai fare
]96 harme is don & fare-wel feldyfare
855
858
861
136
BOCOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO^ BOOK III.
chauoer's tboylus and crysbyde^ book iil 136
(124)
And nece 1x1301 take hit not a grefe
If ])at 36 suffie hym al night in J^is wo
God help me so ye had him neuere lefe
J)at dare y wele sey now j»er is but we two
But wele y wote ye wol not do so
Ye bene to wys to do so grete foly
To put his lyf* al nyght in iupardy
(126)
Had y hym neuere iefe. be god y wene
yet had y oeuere thing so lef* quodf she
Now be my thrift qi^odf he it shal be sene
For seth ye make ])i8 ensample of me
If y hym al wold in sorow se
For id fe tresoor in f e toun of troy
I pray to god y neuer more have ioy
(126)
How loke ])an if je be his love
Shal he put his lyf al night in Iupardy
For Jjing* of noght now by Jat [god] a-bove
Not only J^is delay oomif of foly
But of* malice if« y shal not lye
What platly & 30 suffre him in distresse
Ye done hym neipcr good ne gentilnesse
(127)
iXuo^ J?o Cryseid wil 30 done o thing*
And 30 J)€rwith shul styntyn his dissese
havith here & berith hym J)is blew ring
For J)er is no J)ing' might hym better plese
Saf y my self ne better his hert apese
And sey dere hert that his sorow
Is nedeles fat shal be seyn to morow
862
866
868
CleafftO
869
872
875
876
879
882
883
886
889
137
BOOOAGOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
GHAUCHR's TROYLUS and CB78B7DE, BOOK III. 137
(128)
A ringi qtiod he ye hasilwode is shakyn 890
3e nece myn pat ring must have a stone
That might dede men a-lyve makyn
And such a ling trow y 30 have none 893
Discrecion) is out of* your hede gone
p&i f ele y now quod he & pat is louthe
tyme y-lost wel may J)ow cuisyn slou])e 896
(129)
Wote ye not wele pat hie & noble corage 897
Ke sorowith not ne styntith eke for lyte
But if* a fole were in a ielouse rage
1 nold set his sorow at a myte 900
But feest hym with a few wordis white
Anoper day whan J^at I myght hym fynd
But pia ping stont al in a no]>er kynd 903
(130)
This is so gentil & so tendre of* hert cimt b4» back] 904
)}at with his de])e he wole his sorow wreke
For trustith wele how sore )>at hym smert
he wil to yow no ielous word speke 907
And for-]}i nece or ])at his hert to-breke
So speke your self* to hym of* pia mature
For with word ye may his hert stere 910
(131)
How have y told what peril he is yn 911
& his comyng vnwist is to euery wight
And parde harme may here be none ne syn
I wil my self* be wi)> )ow al J^is nyght 914
Ye know wele eke he is 30ur own knyght
And ^t be right ye must vp on hym trist
And y am prest to fet hym whan ye lyst 917
TR0TLU8.
18
138
BOCGAGOIO'B FILOSTRATOf BOOR UI
OHAUOBR'S TB07LUS AND ORYSEYDEj BOOK III. 138
(132)
Thifl accident so pitous was to here
And eke so lyke a 8ot& at prime face
And Troilufl her knygM vn-to her so dere
his pryve comyng< & )>e sikir place
That )>ogh tho she did a tho a grace
Gonciderid al thing* as ])ei stood
No wondur is for she did al for good
(133)
Cryseide answerd as wysly god at rest
My soul hryng* as me is for hym wo
Eme y-wis fayn wold y do J>e best
If" that y had grace to do so
But whejjer \ai 3e dwelle or for hym go
I am tul god me bettir wit sende
At Bulcamon) right at my wittis ende
(134)
Quo() Pandare ye nece wol ye here
Bulcamoh) depid is flemyng* of* wrecchis
hit semith hard for wrecchis nel hit here
For verrey sloup & ofer "wdlful tecches
J)iB seid is by hew fat be not worth two fecches
But je be wys & fat we have in hond
Is neif er hard ne skilful to withstond
918
921
924
925
928
931
932
935
938
(135)
Than eem qwoiJ she doth her-of* as ye lyst
But or he come y wil ferst arrise
And for f e loue of* god seth al my trist
Is on 30W two & ye be bothe wyse
So wurkif now in so discrete a wyse
J)at y honour may have & he plesaunce
For y am here al in your gouernaunce
OaafSSJ 939
942
945
139
BOCOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
GHAUCBR's TBOYLUS and CRYSEYDEy BOOK HI. 139
(136)
This is wel seid quod Pandare my nece deie
p&t good thiift on ]>at wys gentil hert
But liggith stifi and takith hym rig]&t here
Hit nedith not for hym feTper to stert
& eche of yow ese operes sorowes smert
For loue ofi god & yenus )>at y herie
For sone y hope we shul bene al merye
(137)
This Troylus on knees sone hym set
Ful sobrely right by her beddis hede
And on his best wyse his lady gret
But lord so she wax sodenly rede
And )>ogli she shold a-non have be dede
She coude not o woord out bring*
So sodenly for his sodeyn comyng*
(138)
But Pandare fat so wele cou^ fele
In enerj ])ing to pley anone by-gan
And seyd nece how wel lord can he knele
Now for your trou))e y sey ^is gentil man
And wi]) )>at word he for a cusshyn ran
And seid knelith now whil fat 30W lyst
pere god ^our hertis sone bryng at rest
(139)
Kan y not seyn for she bad hym not rise
If sorow it put out of* her remembraunce
Or ellis she toke it in such a wyse
Of dewte as for his obseruaunce
But wele find y she did hym }\s pleasaunce
])at she hym kyssid al-])ogh she syghid sore
And bad hym sit doun wijH>ut more
946
949
952
953
956
959
960
963
966
967
970
973
140
BOOOAOOIO B FILOSTRATO, BOOK lU.
OHAUOER'S TSOYLUS Am> CBY8SYDB, BOOK III. 140
(140)
tUiod Pandaie now wol ye wele bygynne [Uaf 66,bMk] 974
Kow doth hym eyttyn now good nece dere
Vp-on 30ur beddis syde al f er with-yn
pBi eche of yow ])e bet may opii here 977
And wijj fat word lie drow hym to pe fere
And toke a light & fond his contenaunce
As for to loke vp-on an old romaunce 980
(141)
Ciyseyde fat was Troylus lady right
An clere stode on gicound of* sikimes
Al J^oght she her seruaunt & her knyght
Shold of right non yntrouj) in her gesse
Yet natheles considerid his distresso
And J^at loue is in cause of such foly
pVLB to hym spak< she of his ielosy
981
984
987
(142)
Lo h^ myn as wold the excellence
Of loue aryens ^ which no wight may
Ne oght eke goodly make reedstence
And eke by cause y felt wele & say
your good trou])e & servise euery day
And pat your hert al myn was sof to seyn
piB drove me to rewe vp-on 30ur peyn
(1*3)
And your goodnes have y found alwey yet
Of which my dere hert & al my knyght
I thank it yow as ferre as y have wyt
Al kan y not as mich as it were right
And y aftir my kunnyng* & my myght
have & ay shal how sore ]>at me smert
Be to yow trew wi j» al my hert
988
991
994
995
998
1001
Ul
BOGGAOOIO'b FILOSTRATOf BOOK III.
CHAUOBB'S TBOYLUS and CRTSEYDEf BOOK III. 141
(144)
And dredles ]>at shal be found at pTvve 1002
But hert myn what al J^is ia to seyn
Shal wele he told so )>at je yow not greve
Jjogh y now lyght on yow self" pleyn 1006
For f er-with mene y finaly J>e peyn
t>at holt your hert & myn in heuynes
Fully to sle & eche wrong to rediease 1008
(145)
How good hc;*t myn note y for why ne how rie»f W 1009
pat lelosye pe wikkid serpent wythir
Thus causeles is cropyn in-to yow
))e harme of which y wold &yn deliuer 1012
Alas ]>at he al hole or of* hym a shyvre
Shold have her refute in so digne a place
)}at loue out hym sone of your hert race 1015
(146)
But o ])ou love O auctour of nature
Is )>is an honour yn-to your dette
))at folk vngilty suffryn her hure
And who )>at gilty is al quyt go]) he
O were it lefhl for to pleyn to the
))at yndeservid suffiist ielosye
Of pat y wold vp-on fe pleyn & crye
(147)
EKe al my wo is yiB ^at folk now vsyn
To sey right ]>us )>at ielosye is loue
And wold o busshett of ielosy excuse
For fat o greyn of" loue is in it sowe
But pat wote by god pat syt a-bove
If it be like or loue or hate or grame
And aftir pat hit oght here his name
1016
1019
1022
1023
1026
1029
142
. BOCGAOOIO'S FIUOSTSATO, BOOK lU.
CHAUOEB'S TSOYLUS and CRY8B7DR, BOOK UI. 142
(148)
BYt certeyn some manere lelosye
Is ezcTisable more J^an some y-wis
And wher cause is & some with fantesy
Witli pite so wele repiessid is
)}at hit vnnethe do])e or seitb a-mys
But goodly diynkith vp alhis distresse
And J^at excuse y for the gentihies
(U9)
And some so ful of furie is <& despite
pat surmountith his reprehensiou)
But hert myn je he not in that plyte
])at ]K)nk y god for setfi your passion)
I wil not clepe it hut illusiou)
Of Ahundaunce and hysy cure
p&t do)) 30ur hert piB dissese endure
1030
1033
1036
1037
1040
1043
(150)
Of which y am right sory hut not wroJ>e [leaf 56, bw*] 1044
But for my devoir & my hertis rest
Wher ye wil hy ordinal or hy othe
verrey set or in what wise ye lest 1047
For loue of god let preve it for l»e hest
And if y he gilty do me to dey
Alias what myght y more done or sey 1050
(151)
Wi]) }at a fewe hright teris newe
Out of her eyen fel & J^us she seyd
Now god fow wost in ])oght & dede vntrewe
To Troilus was neuere yet Cryseide
Wij) pat her heed doun in J>e hed she leyd
And wif fe shete hit wrie & sighid sore
And held her pees )>at o word spak no more
1051
1054
1057
143
BOCOAOOIOS FILOSTRATOf BOOK III.
OHAUOEB'S TS0YLU3 AND CRY8EYDS, BOOK III. 143
(152)
Bvt now to quenchyn al this sorow
So hope y pat he shal for he best may
For y have seyn of a fal misty morow
Folowyn oft a meiy somers day
And aftir wyntir comith grene may
Folk sene al day and eke men rede in story
Pai aftir sharp shoures is ofb victory
(163)
This Troylus whan he her wordis herd
Have ye no care hym lest not to slepe
Eke it )>oght hym no strokes of a 3erd
To here or se his lady Gryseid wepe
But wele he felt a-bout his hert crepe
For euery tere wM fat Cryseide a-stert
J)e crampe of detR to streyn hym by y hert
(164)
And in his mynd he gan pe tyme acnrse
))at he cam fere or J^at he was borne
For now is wyk y-tumyd in-to wurs
And al pat labour he hath byfome
he went it lost he ])oght it not but lorne
Pandare he ]K>ght alas ])e while
ServiJ) of noght so welawey pi wyle
1058
1061
1064
1065
1068
1071
1072
1075
1078
(155)
^And permfal he hinge adoun his heede r^tm 1079
And fel on knees and sorwfulU sight
what mi3t he seie he felt he nas but deed
For wroo]> was sche )>at schulde hise daies li^t 1082
But ne]>eles whanne he paime speke mi3t
)}us seide he jet god woot of J^is game
whanne al is wist ]>anne am I not to blame 1085
[i A f^aih handf felUno sch >t>r sb, I >br y (proii.)i hlr>br ber, &c., for/tef 5 Uavn
U4
BOOOAOOIO'S FJLOSTRATOf BOOK III.
ohaugbr's tbotlus and cbyseyds, book ul 144
(156)
TherwiJ) for 8orw3 ))at his hert swell
))at from hise ijen per fel not a teeie
And enery spirit his vigour eke inknitt
So fei a-Btonied and oppressid were
\>e felinge of his sorw^ or of his f eere
Or of ought ellis fledde was out of town
And doune he felle sodenly in a swoun
1086
1089
1092
(167)
This was no litle sorw for to se
For al was schitt but Pandir vp als fast
nece pees or we bee)> lost quod he
Beep not a-gast but certeyn at pe last
For pia or for pat he into pe bedde him cast
And seid oo peei is ]>is a manes herte
And of he rente yn-to his bare schirte
1093
1096
1099
(158)
And seide nece ^e helpe vs now
Alias oure owne Troiles is lorn
y-wis so wolde I <& I wist how
Ful fayn quod sche alias pat I was bom
jhe nece wole ^e pulle out pe thorn
))at stikejy in his herte quod Pandare
Seie al for^eue & stint is al )>is fare
(159)
The fat me quod she leuere were
))an al pe good pe sunue aboute goo})
And perwip sche swoore him in his eere
I-wis my deere herte I am not wroof
Haue here my trou])e and ma72nye an oper oo))
Now speke to me for it am I Criseide
But al for nou^t 3it might he not abreide
1100
1103
1106
1107
1110
1112
145
BOOOACdO S FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
OHAUORB'S TBOTLUS and CBTSXTDEf BOOK m. 145
(160)
Therwi]) his pous and pawmes of his hondes
])ei gan to froote and wette hise templis tweyne
And to delyuere him from bittir bondis
Sche ofte him kiste & schortly for to aeyne
Him to reuoken sche dide al hir peyne
8o at ]>e last he gan his breej) to diawe
And of his swoun soone aftir ^t adawe
(161)
And gan betir mynde and resoun to him take
But wondir soore I was abaschid I-wis
And wi)> a sigh whanne he gan bet a-wake
He seide. mercy what ]>ing is yia
whi do ^e wij) ^oiiie seluen pua a-mys
Quod Creseid is ])is a mannes game
wole Troillus do )>us alias for schame
(162)
And ferwip hir arme ouer him sche leide
And al for^af and ofte tyme him kist
he ]>anked hir & to hir spak and seide
As fel to purpose of his hertis rest
And sche to ]>at answeride as hir list
And vnf hir goodly wordis him disporte
he gan. & ofte hise sorwes to counforte
(163)
Quod Pandre for ou3t I can aspien
piB l^t nece I ne serue)> here of nou3t
li^t is not good for sijke folkis ^en
But for ))e loue of god si^n ^e ben broujt
In f is good plijt lete now non bevy ]K)U)t
Be hanginge in fe hertis of 30U twey
And bare ^ candel to ^ chymeney
1114
1117
1120
1121
1124
1127
1128
1131
1134
1135
1138
1141
TROTLUa
19
146
boooaooio'b filostbato, book iu.
OHAUOXRS TS0YLU8 AUD (JRYSBYDM^ BOOK III.
146
(164)
Soone aftir }p\& ])ou3 it no nede were 1142
whanne sche suche oo]>eB as hir list devise
Hadde of him take hir ]K>iight ])o no feeie
Ne cause eke non to bidde him )>enne rise 1145
)it lesse \mg ]>an Jds may suffice
In manye case for enery wight I gesse
))at louejy wel & mene)) but gentihiesse 1148
(166)
But in effecte sche wolde wite anoone [iMfSB] 1149
Of what man. & where. & also why
He lelous was. si]>en ^er was cause noone
And eke )>e signe )>at he tooke it by 11 52
)}at badde sche him to telle hir bisily
Or ellis certeyn sche bare him on honde
))at ]ns was done of malice hir to fonde 1155
(166)
WiJ)-oute moore schortly for to seyn 1156
He muste obey vnto his ladies heest
And for J^e lesse harme he most feyn
He seide whanne sche was at suche a feest 1159
Sche mi^t on him haue loked at ]>e leest
Not I not what al dere y-now a rische
As he ]iat nedis most a cause fische 1162
(167)
And sche answeride him swete al were it so 1163
what harme was )>at si]yen I non yuel mene
For bi ])at god ])at wrou^t vs bo))e twoo
In al Jung al myn entent is clene 1166
Suche aigumentis ben not wor])e a bene
wole je ))e childische lelousye countirfete
Now were it worfi |iat ^e were y-bete 1169
147
BOOOAOOIO'S FlLOSTRATOy BOOK III.
0HAUCKR*8 TR0YLU8 AND CItYSEYDM, BOOK III. 147
(168)
Thanne Tioillns gan sorwfully to sijke
lest 8che be wtoo]> bim J^oujt his herte diede
And seide alias vppon my sorwes s^ke
Haue meicy my swete herte my Criseide
And if ]>at in ])e wordis fst I seide
Be any wronge I wole no more trespace
Do)> ^t 30U list I am al in ^ouie grace
(169)
And sche answeride * of gilt mysericorde
Jris is to seie * ])at I forjeue al ]ris
And eudremore on ])i8 ni^t je reoorde
And hef vel ware ^e do no more a-mys
Naye deere herte myn quod he ywys
And now quod sche * y&t I haue done 30U smerte
Forjeue it me myn owene dere herte
1170
1173
1176
1177
1180
1183
(170)
Thus Troillus wij) blisse of ])at vprised [iMf ss, iMok] 1184
Putte al in goddis sonde as he ]»at ment
"No ];ing but wel & sodenly A-yised
He hir in hise armes to him fast bent 1187
And Pander wi]) a ful good entent
Leide him to slepe & seide if je be wise
Swowne]) not now lest more folk arrise 1190
(171)
Whi^t mi^t or may ))e sely larke seie
whanne ]>at ]us sparhauk haf it in bis foote
I can no more but of pis ilke tweie
To whom ))iB tale sugre be or sote
))ou) ])at I tarie a jeere sumtyme I mote *
Aftir myn autour telle hir gladnesse
As wel as I haue telde hir heuynesse
1191
1194
1197
148
BOOOAOOIO'S FIWSTRATO, BOOK IIL
Chaucer's tbotlus and cryseyde^ book iil 148
(172)
Ciisoid whiche ]>at felt bir pus I-take
As writen clerkis in her bookis oolde
Rijt as an auspen leef sche gan to quake
whane sche him felt hir in hise armes f oolde
And troillus al hool of cares coolde
Gkoi panke ^o ]>e bTi3t goddis seuene
)?U8 sundry peynes brynge]> folk to heueue
(173)
Thus Troillus gan hir in armes streyne
And seide * suete * as euere mot I gone
Kow be je cau3t now is per but we tweyne
Now 3eldi)) 30U for o\er boote is noone
To pat Criseid answeride ]>us anoone
Nad I or now my swete herte deere
Be 3olden I-wis I were now not here
(174)
S8o]> is seid ]>at yuel is for to keiine
As of a fyuer or o]»V greet syknesse
Men must drinke as men may often se
Ful bittir drinke & for to .haue gladnesse
Men drinke)) ofte peyne & greet distresse
I mene it he as for this aventure
))at poru) a peyne. ha]) founden al his cure
(176)
And now swettnesse semep moore swete [laftf w]
))at bittimesse assaied was bifome
For oute of woo in blisse now J)ei flete
Noon suche ))ei felten se])en pei were borne
Now is it bettir J)an hope two were lome
For loue of god take euery wowman hede
To wirke J)ub if it come to J)e nede
1198
1201
1204
1205
1208
1211
1212
1216
1218
1219
1222
1225
149
BOOCAOOIO'S FILOSTRATOf BOOK III.
CHAUOER'S TBOYLUS and CRYSEYDSy BOOK III. 149
(176)
Criseid al quite from euery drede & tene
As sche ]>at iuste cause hadde him to tn'ste
Made sucbe feeste ioye it was to sene
wbanne sche his trou))e & entent clene wiste
And as aboute a tre wi]> manye a twiste
Bitrent and wTi])en is pe swete woodbynde
Gan ecbe of hem in annes oper wynde
(177)
And yQ abaschid ni^tyngale
)?at stynte]> iirste whan/ze sche begynnetli singe
whanne pai sche heerep any heerdis tale
Or in heggis any wight steringe
And aftir siker do]? hir vois out ring
Bight so Criseid whane hir drede stint
Opened hir herte & tolde him hir entent
(178)
And ri3t as he ))at 8ee]> his dee]? yscbapen
And dien mote in ou^te J>at he can gesso
And sodenly rescouse do]? ^anne him ascapen
And from his deej) is brou^t in sikemesse
For al fe world in suche a present gladnesse
was Troillus & ha)) his lady suete
wi)) werse hap god lat vs neuere mete
1226
1229
1232
1233
1236
1239
1240
1243
1246
(179)
Hir armes smale hir strei3t bak & softe 1247
Hir sidis longe fleishely smoofe & white
He gan to stroke & good ^rifte bad ful ofto
On hir snowe whit froote hir breestis rounde <fe lite 1260
Thus in this hevyu) he gaii) hym delite [<**• u^ina later kami}
And ferwiyel a J)0usand tymes hir kist
))at what to do for ioye vnnefis he wiste 1263
160
BOOOAOOIO 8 riLOSTSATO, BOOK IH.
chauokr's *rBor£03 and cbysstds, book ui. 160
(180)
Thazine seide he pus .0. loue .0. Charite [leafw.bMk] 1254
pi modii eke sitlierefl pe swete
Aftir pi silf next heried be sche
Venus mene I fe wele wylly planete 1267
And next p&t ymeneus I the grete
For neuere was man to goddis y-holde
As .1. whiche 30 haue brou^t from cares coolde 1260
(181)
Benienyng loue ]>oa hooly god of J^ingis 1261
who so wole grace & liste ])* not to honouryu
Lo his desire wole flie vnpoMien winges
For noldist pou of bounte hem socotiryn 1264
pat servyn best & alpermoat labouryn [<Mf um in corr§etor'$ kand]
3it were al lost ))at dar I seie wel certis
But if ])i grace passe alle oure desertis 1267
(182)
And for me pat coude leest disserue 1268
Of hem pat loiupred be to ]>i grace
hap holpen hem ^ per y was lyke to sterve ^ P— * «orr§et<fr'$ k4Mid]
And me bistowed in so hi^ a place 1271
pai like boundis may no blis pace
I can no more but laude and reu69'ence
Be to pi bounte & to pi excellence 1274
(183)
And perwipal Criseid anoon he kiste
Of whiche certeyn sche felt no disese
And pus seide he now wolde god I wiste
Min herte swete hou I mi^te jou plese
A what man quod he was euare pus at eese
As I on whiche pe fairest & pe best
pa,t eu&re I sey deinep hir hert rest
1276
1278
1281
i
161
BOCOAOOIO'S FILOSTBATO, BOOK III.
OHAUOBB'S TBOTLUS and CB78B7DS, BOOK lU. 151
(184)
Here may je se ))at mercy passi]) lijt 1282
pe experience of ))at. is felt ])6ryime
)?at am yiiwor]>i to so swete a whi^t
But heere]) hert myn of ^oure benygnite 1285
So ^inke]) pon^ that I Ynwor]>i be
3it mote I nede a-mende in sum vriae
Ei3t ))oru3 pe Yerta of jonre seruise 1288
[2 leavesy 20 stanzas^ wajnting in Harl. 3493. FUld in ?iere,
fr(yin Hie long ledgerlike HarL 1239, leaf 31-, &c.]
(186)
[And for the loue of gode. my lady dere 1289
Sith gode hath, wrought me you to seme
As thus he wyll. how that ye be my stere
To doo me lyve. if that ye lust or sterva 1292
So techith me. how that I may deserve ^^^iJ^J J^JSn'"**'
your thonke. so that [^thoruh myn ignorance
I do no thyng< that^] do you displesance 1295
(186)
For certes. fresshe womanlich wyf
This dar I seyn. that trouhte And diligence
That shal ye fynde in me al my life'
Ne I wole not certein broke your defense
And ji I doo. presente or in absence
Foi^ loue of gode. lat sle me wtt/t that dede
yif that it like, vnto your womanhede
(187)
Iwys quod she. myn) owne herte« truste
My grounde of ese. and al myn) hert dere
Gramercy for on) you. is al my truste
But let YS falle. a-way fro this matere
For this soufficetH. wyche that seide is here
And at oo worde. wythoute repentaunce
welcome my knyght. my pes. my soufficiance
1296
1299
1302
1303
1306
1309
152
BOOCAOGIO'S FILOSTRATOj BOOK HI.
CHAUGBR's TB07LUS AITD CSYSEYDEj BOOK III. 152
(31)
1 Long would it be to recount the fruition,
2 And impossible to tell the delight,
3 Which they took together.
(33) .
3 If to me were given the cunning
4 Which the poets had, one and aJl,
5 It could not be expressed by me.
6 Lot him conceive it who was ever so far on,
7 Thanks to Love, as these were.
(188)
OF her deHte. or loyes oon) of the leste ^gH.^iS^' 1310
where impossible, to my wytte to say
But lugeth ye that haue been at the feste
In suche gladnesse. yif that hem) lust to pley 1313
I can) no more, but thus, this ilke twey
That* nyght by-twyx. drede and sikemesse
They felte in loue. the grete worthinesse 1316
(33)
1 Oh sweet night ! oh much desired I
2 What a one wast thou to the two joyful lovers !
(189)
blisf ul nyght. of hem) so longe ysoug&t
how blithe vnto hem bothe. to you were
why nade I. suche oon). wyth my soule bought
ye or the leste loye. that was there
A-wey thou foule. daunger and thou fere
And let hem. \n this heven) blisse dwelle
That so high is. that no man) caii) it telle
1317
1320
1323
(34)
2 Holding each other embraced,
3 They felt as though they were bereft one of the other.
6 But they seemed to be dreaming of being embraced :
7 And the one oft-times asked of the other,
8 " Hold I thee in my arms, or do I dream, or is it
indeed thou 1 "
(35)
1 They looked on one another with so much desire
2 That the one turned not eyes from the other ;
3 And one said to other : '' My love,
4 Oh can it be that I am with thee % **
5 " Yea, heart of my body, thanks be to God therefor,"
6 Many times replied one to other ;
7 And, often clasping close,
8 They sweetly kissed together.
(190)
This ilke two. that been) in arme lefte
So lothe to hem. a sonder gone it were
That eche from, other wende be byrefte
Or ellys loo. this was hir moste fere
lest al this thinges. but dremes were
For wych ful of te. eche of hem seide o swete
Clippe I you thus or elles I hit mete
(191)
And lorde so he gan godely on) her see
That euer his eye. blent from hii* face
And seide o dere hert/ may it bee
That this be sothe. that ye be in this place
yee hert myii). gode thonke I of his grace
Quod tho Creseide. and therwytt-al hym kyste
That were is spirit, was for loye he nyste
1324
1327
1330
1331
1334
1337
153
BOOOACOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
GH auger's TBOYLUS AND CB7SETDB, BOOK III. 153
(36)
1 Troilus often kissed the beautiful amorous eyes
2 Of Chryseis, saying :
3 " Ye set in my heart such fiery
4 Darts of love, wherewith I all bum up.
7 Ye keep me, and ever wiU keep me,
8 Beautiful eyes of mine, in the love-net'*
(37)
1 Then he kissed them, and again re-kissed.
3 And no while
4 Did be pass without a tbousand sighs ;
Not of those sorrowful ones whereby one loses colour,
6 But of those loving ^ ones by which was shown
7 The affection which lay in his breast
1 u
Pii," literally " pious."
* "Denari.'* Ghaaoer gives the same word, *' penes : at the
present day (at any rate) the term " denari " is used in Italian
simply as equivalent to " money J**
(38)
1 Ah 1 here Jet pitiful misers reflect —
2 Who censui'e a man that is in love,
3 And that has not wholly given himself up, as they do,'
to making pence ^
4 In whatever way —
5 And let them see whether, by holding these most dear,
6 So much pleasure was ever felt by them
7 As Love gives in one sole point [fortune.
8 To a man whom he [Love] is conjoined with Good-
TBOTLU& 20
(192)
This troilus ful ofte. hir eyen twoo [KmL U88] 1338
Gan) for to kysse. and seid o eyen) clere
hit were ye. that wroughten) me this whoo
ye humble nettes. of my lady dere 1341
Thogfe ther be mercy, wryten) in your chere
Gode wote that tizite. ful harde is sothe to fynde
how cowde ye me. wythouten) bonde bynde 1344
(193)
Therwyi^ he gan) hir faste in armes take 1345
And wel a thousand tymes. gas) he sike
Noo suche sorowful sikes. as men) make
Foi' sorwe. or elles whan that folke beeii) sike 1348
But esy sikes. suche as been) to like
That sweyd his affection) wythinne
Of wych sykes. cowde he not blynne 1351
(194)
Sone afftei' this spake they of sundry thinges 1352
And fel to purpos. of her a-venture
And ploying, enchaunged hir ringes
Of wych I can) not telle no scripture 1355
But wel I wote. a broche golde and asure
Creseide hym yafe. and stake it on) his sherte
Li wych a rubye. was sette like aii) herte 1358
(195)
Lorde trowe ye. a covetours wreche 1359
That blameth loue. and halt of hit despite
That of the peynes. that he gan) moker and teche
was euer right yit yeue hym suche delite 1362
As in loue. a poynt in som plite.
Nay doutles. for as gode me sane
So parfit loye. may no negarde haue 1365
154
BOCCAOOIO'S mOSTRATOj BOOK m.
CHAUOEB'S TR07LU3 Am> CSrSBTDSf BOOK IIL 104
(39)
1 They will say yes, but they will lie.
2 And this love they -will call a piteotis madness,
3 With laughter and jeeis ;
4 Without seeing that but one hour shall that be
6 When they shall lose themselves and their pence,
6 Without having knoTm what joy is.
7 In all their lives God make them sad,
8 And give their gains to lovers I
(40)
1 The two lovers being together reassured,
2 They began to converse together,
3 And one to other to relate the past plainings
4 And anguish and sighs.
(40)
5 And such talks, one and alL
6 They often broke with fervent kissing
7 And, discarding their past annoy,
8 They took delightful joy together.
(196)
They wyl sey yis. but lorde so they lye CBmI uhq 1366
Thoo besy wreches. f ul of who and drede
The clepeu) loue. a wodenesse for folye
But it shal fal hem. as I shal a-Eede 1369
They shall for-goo. the white and eke the Eede
And lyve in who. there gode yeue hem) mysschance /
And euery louer. in his trouthe avance 1372
(197)
[As wolde god / these wrecches that despise ESrkbS ^^'^^
seruyse of loue/ had / heiis as longe
as had / Mida / f ul of couetise Koca 6b oteONw Wda
and therto dronkin had / as hot & as strong 1376
as Crassus dide / for hise affectis wrong qpumoooenmoBimk
to techyn hem / that / couetis is vice
and loue is vertu / thouh men hold it nyce] 1379
(198)
THis ilke two. of wyche I you seye hS'Soj ^^^
whau) that hir hertes / bothe assured were
Than gonne they, to speke and pleye
And eke rehersou). how and when and where 1383
They knew hem first, but euer in woo and fere -
That passed was. but al theii^ besinesse
I-thonked gode. was toumed to gladnesse 1386
(199)
And ener more whan) that they fiUe to speke 1387
Of any woo. of suche. ^yme y-gonne
Wytib kyssyng*. al that tale shulde breke
And falleii) in a new love a-noiD 1390
And diden al hir myght. sith they were oon)
For to Becouuere blisse and been) at ese
And passed woo / wyth loye countrepese 1393
155
BOOOACCIO'S FIL08TRAT0, BOOK III.
OHAUCER'S TBOYLUS and C&YSEYDR^ book III. 155
(41)
1 'So reckonisg was theie taken ^ of sleeping;
2 But their wish was that the night might not be too short
3 For keeping awake to good purpose long enough.
4 They could not satiate themselves one with the other ;
5 Though much was the doing and the saying,
6 Buch as they thought pertaining to that act*
(200)
Sesou) wyl not that I speke of slepe CHaiLuaq 1394
For if a-cordit£l nof. to my matere
Gode woote they toke / of that f ul litel kepe
But leste this nyg&t. that was to hem so dere 1397
I^e shulde in vayne / escape in no manere
hit was bysette. in loye and besinesse
Of al that sovneth in to gentilnesse 1400
■ " Ragion noa vi bI feoe " — ^literally, " reaton [reckoning] was
not there made.*' We see that Chauoer, by a slight misoonoeption
or distortion of the sense, got hence his phrase '' Beson wyl not that
I speke," as well as "they toke of that ful litel kepe."
' Next after this, Chaucer adds :
" But soth is, thogh I can not tellen alle,
As can myn auotour, of his excellence^
Yit have I seide, & God tofom shal.
In every thing Ihe grete of his sentence."
The fact is, however, that the English poet has, up to this point of
the amorous scene, giyen more details than the Italian, and has
missed nothing of much consequence supplied by the latter. The
close of the interview is varied by Chaucer — ^but not shortened ; on
the contrary, it is lengthened. This instance, and those cited on
pp. 38, 39, might lead one to surmise that he worked from a poem
somewhat amplified from the Mlottrato of Boccaccio, as now
printed : on other grounds, however, I should doubt this.
(201)
But how al thogH. I can) not alle
As card myn) auctor. of his excellence
yit haue I seide. and god to-forn) shal
In euery thing*, the giete of his sentence
And yif tliat I that loue Beuerence
haue ony thing*, in eched foi' the beste
Doth therwythaule. Ryght as your self lyste
(202)
Por my wordes here, and euery parte
I speke hem alle vnder correction)
Of you that felyng*. haue in loues arte
And pntte hem), hole in your discreciou)
Tenencrece. or make diminuicion)
Of my langage. and that I you beseche
But now to purpos. of my Bather speche
1401
1404
1407
1408
141
1414
(42)
1 But, when, near to daytime, they heard the cocks
2 Grow, for the dawn which was rising.
(43)
1 Which when CJhryseis heard crow,
2 Sorrowful she said :
(203)
Whan that the Gok comune Astrologer
Gan oii) his brest bete, and afftyi' crowe
And lucifer the dayea messanger
Gan for to Rise, and oute her stremes throwe
And estward Boos, to hym that cowde it knowo
Fortuna maior. that a-nooii) Creseide
wyth hert sore, to Troilus thus seide
1415
1418
1421
156
Boccaccio's filostrato, book iii.
CHAUCER'S TSOYLUS AND CBYSBTDS, BOOK III. 156
(43)
2 " my love,
3 It is getting time to rise,
4 If indeed we want to conceal our desire."
(ii)
1 Troilns embraced her, almost weeping.
2 And, clasping her close, he kissed her.
6 Then he commenced, saying to her :
(204)
Myn hertiB lyf / my trust and my plesaxmce {Hta usq 1422
That I was born), alias what me is woo
That day of vs. must make disseueraunce
For tyme it is. to Eyse and hens goo 1425
Or elles I am. but lost for euermoo
O nyght alias, why nylt thou houer vs houe 1427
As longe [as] whan Almena. lay by loue i&ndqfBaA.va»biii
(205)
[Harl 3943 again : leaf 60.]
blak ni3t as folks in bookes reede 1429
]^at schapen art ])is world bi god to hide
At certeyn tymes wij> pi derke weede
)}at yndir ))at men mi3t in her nest abide 1432
Wei oujten beestis J)us pleyne & folkis chide
])at pere as day wi)) labof^r wolde vs brest
Th^re ))ou nijt pUB fleest & deynest not vs rest 1435
(206)
Thou dost al so schortly pin office
Pom rakel ni3t pat god maker of kynde
})ee for pin hast and )yin vnkynde vice
So fast vn-to 3oure emyspery b3mde
pat neu^re moore vndir pe grourade pou wynde
For now ]>ou hi3est so [faste] out of troye
Haue I forgon ]ms hastily my loye
(207)
Thus Troillus pat wi]> pise wordis felte
As pou3te him po from pitouse distresse
})e bloodi teeris from his hert melte
As he pat neuere 3it suche heuynesse
Assaide hadde but of so greet gladnesse
Gsn perynpel Cnseid his ladi deere
In armes streyne * & seide in pis manere
1436
1439
1442
1443
1446
1449
157
fiOGOAOOIO 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
CHAUOER'b TSOYLUS and CR7SE7DB, BOOK III. 157
(44)
3 Cursing the day that was coming,
4 That separated them so untimely.
(208)
cruel ladi accuser of ]>e loye
)?at ni^t & loue haue stole & fast ywrien
Acursid be J)i comyng in to Troye •
For eu«ry bore haf oone of fi bright yen
Enyious day what liste ]7ee to aspien
What hast ]>ou lost whi sekest pon ^ia place *
Grod ))i li3t quenche for his grace
(209)
Alas what haue piae louers ]>ee agilt
Dispitouse day ]7ine ben pe peynes of helle
For manye oone hast ])ou slayn and wilt
]?i powiinge wole lat hem nowhere dwelle
What profrist pi li^t here to selle
Go selle it hem ])at smale seelis graue
We nUe pee not : vs nedep no day to haue
U50
1453
1456
1457
1460
1463
(210)
And eke pe sunne tytan gan he chide [i«af eo, back] 1464
wel mowen manye men pee dispise
poxji hast pe dawnynge al nijt p^ biside
And sufi&ist hir to soone vp fro pee rise 1467
For to disese loueris in pia wise [^^ *. in a later kano]
What holde ))i bed ^ there and eke thy morowe^
I bidde god so^ jeve 30U bo]7e sorwe 1470
(44)
7 " How am I OTer to part from theo t
(45)
1 I know not how I should not die, merely to think
2 That I have to go against my will,
3 And I have already taken leave of life.
(44)
8 For the bliss I feel, lady, thou giv'st it me.
(211)
Therwi]) ful sore he si^ed & panne he seid
My ladi ri^t of my wele or woo
))e welle of roote of good likinge Criseid
And Bchal I rise alas and schal I so
Now fele I J)at my hert mot a twoo
For hou schulde I my lijf an our saue
Sipen pat vrip }ou al my lijf I haue
1471
1474
1477
158
BOOOAOGIO'S riLOSTRATO, BOOK III.
CHAUOEB'S TB07LU8 AND CE7SSYDS, BOOK TIL 168
(46)
5 " Neither know I about retarning, how nor when.
(46)
1 '< Ah what shall I do, if already, at the first step,
2 The longing to return so strains me
3 That life endures it not, woe is me )
(47)
1 '' If I could think that I stand continually in thy mind,
2 My beautiful lady, as thee I hold
3 Within mine,
4 This would be dearer to me than the Trojan realm,
(47)
5 And I would be patient at this parting."
(48)
1 Chryseis sighing replied to him.
(212)
What schal I do for certis I not how 1478
Ke whanne alias I schal ])e tyme se
pskt in fla place I may be ef te wip jou
And of my lijf god wote hou pat schal be 1481
So pAt desire rijt now [so] streine]) me
psi I am deed anoone but I rete^me
hou schulde I longe Alas soiourne 1484
(213)
But ne|)ele8 myn owene ladi brijt 1485
Jit were it so fat I wist vttirly
)?at I ^oure humble seniaunt & joure kn^t
Were in 3oure herte set als fermely 1488
As je in myn pe whiche )ying truly
Me leuere were fan fis worldis tweyne
3it schulde I fe bettir endure al my peyne 1491
(214)
To fat Criseid answerid rijt anoone 1492
And wif a si3 sche sche ^ seide hert dere p tie}
\)e game y wis so ferforf e now is gone
pski firste schal Phebus falle from his spere 1495
And heuene egle be as f e douves fere
And eue/y rock out of his place stert
Er Troillus out of Criseidis hert 1498
(215)
Te be so depe ri^t in my herte graue [iMf si] 1499
pai fou^ I schulde tume it out of my foujt
As wisly god my soule saue
To die in fe peyne I coufe noujt 1502
And for fe loue of god fat vs haf wrou3t
Lat in joure herte no noyouse fantasie
So crepe fat it cause me to die 1505
159
BOCXJAOOIO'S FILOSTRATOy BOOK III.
OHAUCBE'S TBOTLUa AND CBTSETDE, BOOK III. 169
(50)
1 ** Theief ore Hye aasured of my loye,
2 Which I never felt for any one else ;
3 And, if thou desiiest with fervour to retami
4 I desire it very far more than thon."
8 And| this said, she kissed him, sighing.
(216)
And ]>at ^e wolde me hane als fast in mynde
As I haue 30a pat wole I 30U biseche
And if I wist 8o]»ely ]>at to fynde
God mi^t not 00 poynt of my loyes eche
But hert myn wi]> outen more speche
Be)) to me trewe or ellis were it rouj^e
For I am ^oures hi god and hi my trou]>e
(217)
Be glad for-))i & Ijuep in sikemesse
pia seid I neuere or )>is ne schal to no mo
And if it to 30W were a greet gladnesse
To tume ajen soone aftir ]>at 30 go
Als fayn wolde I as 3e ])at it were so
As wisly god my herte bringe at rest
And him in armes took and ofte kist
1506
1509
1512
1513
1516
1519
(51)
1 Troflus arose against his will,
2 Affcer he had kissed her a hundred times ;
3 But yet, seeing what needs must be,
4 He clothed him alL
(62)
1 Voice for replying came not to her,
2 So great annoy strained her at his departing,
3 But Troilus hence, with rapid step,
4 Wended his way towards his palace.
(218)
A3ens his wille si]) it mot nedis be
piB Troillus vp roos & fast him cledde
And in luse armes toke his ladi fre
An .0. tyme & on his weie him spedde
And mp suche vois as pon) his hert bledde
He seide farwel dere hert swete
pat vs graunt sound Ss soone to mete
(219)
To whiche for sorwe no word sche answerd
So sore gan his parting hir distreine
And Troillus to his paleis f erd
As woo-bigone as sche was so]) to seine
po hard him wrong of scharp desire ))e peyne
For to be efte pere he was in pleasaunce
])at it may neu^re out of his remembraunce
1520
1523
1526
1527
1530
1533
160
BOCOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
Chaucer's troylus and crysbtde, book hi. 160
(63)
1 Eetumed to his royal palace, Troilos
2 Silently entered his bed,
3 To sleep, if he could, somewhat at ease :
4 But sleep could not enter his bosom ;
7 Thinking within himself how far beautiful Chryseis
8 What he had supposed. [excelled
(54)
1 And he went revolving every act
2 In his thought, and her wise talk.
(54)
7 And with such thoughts the more did he bum
8 Strongly in love, and he perceived it noi
(55)
1 Chryseis was with herself doing the same,~
2 Talking of Troilus in her heart ;
3 And, congratulating herself on such a lover,
4 She gave infinite thanks to Love for it ; ^
5 And it seems to her full a thousand years ere
6 Her charming lover returns to her.
(56)
1 In the morning Pandarus had come.^
(220)
And returned in to a rial palaise soone [iMfei.tack] 1534
he softe in to his bed gan for to ])rink
To slepe longe as he was wont to done
But al for nou3t he may wel lye Ss wink
No sleep may pere in his hert synk
J^enking hou sche fro whom he hende
A ]>ousand folde was wor)>i more ))an he wende
1537
1540
(221)
1541
And in his J^ou^t gan vp & doun to wende
hire wordis alle and eu^ry countynaunce
And fermely impressid in his mynde
j>e lest poynt ]7at to him was plesaimce
And verily of J>ilk remembraunce
Desire al newe him hent & lest ^to hede p-**»««»<»^*«wO
1544
Gan more ]7an arst & yet toke he non hede^
(222)
Criseid also r^t in pB same wise
Of Troillus gan in hire hert to schete
his wor]7ines his list hise dedis wise'
his gentilnesse & hou sche with him mette
Touchinge loue he so wel hir bisette
Desiringe ofte to haue hire herte dere
At sucbe a pli3t ]>at sche durst him make chere
(223)
Pandre on morwe whiche J)at comen was
Vn to his nice & gan hir faire grete
1647
1548
C* wiie, otJktr kamd}
1551
1554
1555
> The word " touchinge " in Chaucer looks like a corruption of And seide al Jjis nijt so reyned it alias
the text instead of " thanking.;' . , ^ . . bat al my drede is bat ^e nece swette
Hod come " to Troiltit, in Boccaccio — not to Chryseis, as in
Chaucer.
\)at al my drede is ]>at je
And hadden litle leiser to slepe or mete
Al ni3t quod he haj) reyn do me wake
pai somme of vs I trowe her heedis ake
1558
1561
16]
BOOGAOOIO'S FlLOSTRATOy BOOK UL
OHAUOEB's TROYLUS and CRYSEYDBy BOOK lU, 161
(66)
2 And saluted him [Troilos],
(224)
And n^ he come and seid hou slant it now
pia mey morwe nece hou kanne 36 fare
Gnseid answeride neuere ])e bet for 30W
Fox )yat 3e ben. god ^eue 30W hertis care
God helpe me so je cause]) al pis fare
Trowe I quod sche for alle ^oure wordis white
0. ho see^ [he] 30U knowe]> 30U but a lite
1562
1565
1568
(225)
With pat sche gan hir face wrie
wi]> ]>e schete & wex for schame reed
And Pandre gan vndire for to prie
And seide nece if p&t I schal be dede
haue here a swerid & smite of myn heed
Wi]) ])at his arme sodenly he pust
Yndir hir nek & at ]>e last hir kist
(226)
I passe al pat charge]) not to seie
what god f oi^af his dee]) & sche also
Forjaf . And wi]) her vncle gan to pleie
For oper cause was per non but so
But of pia ping ri3t to pe feet to go
Whanne tyme was home to hir hous sche went
And Pandre hadde fully his entent
(227)
How tume we a3en to Troillus
))at resteles ful longe in bedde lay
And priuely sent after Pandarus
To him to come in al ))e hast he may
he come anoone not oones seid he nay
And Troillus ful sobrely he grette
And doune vppon pe beddis side him sette
PMftt] 1569
1572
1575
1576
1579
1582
1583
1586
1589
TBOTLUS.
21
162
BOCCAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK III.
OHAUCBB'S TSOYLUS and CBYSBYDBf BOOK III. 162
3 Troilua
4 Eagerly threw himself on his neck.
7 '^ Thou from hell hast set me in paradise.
(57)
1 " I never could effect so much,
2 Were I to die for thee a thousand times a day,
3 As to do an atom of what
4 I openly acknowledge is due to thee.
(58)
1 "The sun, which sees the whole world, sees not
2 So beautiful a woman, nor so delightful,
3 If my words deserve credit,
4 So well-bred, charming, and attractive,
5 As is she thanks to whom
6 I in sooth live the joyfullest of men.
7 Praised be Love who made me his,
8 And likewise thy good service.
(59)
1 " Thou therefore hast given me no little thing.
3 " My life shall always be obliged to thee.
5 ** Thou hast raised it from death to lifa"
6 And here he ceased, more joyful than ever.
7 Pandarus, having heard him, stayed awhile, and then
8 He thus cheerfully replied to his words.
1590
1593
1596
1597
(228)
This troillus wi]) al ]>e affeccioun
Of frendis loue pat herte may deulse
To Pandre on knees fel doun
And or he wolde of J)e place rise
he gan him |)anke on his best wise
An hundrid tymes and gan pe tyme blesse
pdX he of his modir borne wesse
(229)
pat euere was ]>e soo))e for to telle
pou hast in heuene brou^t my soule to rest
Fro Flegiton fe firy feende of helle
pat ]>ough I mi^t a ]7ousand tyme selle
Vppon a day my lijf in fi seruice
It mi3te not in pat a myte suffice
And seyd O frend of frendis altherbest
(230)
The sunne whiche ]7at al pe world may se D«afa,bMk] 1604
Sau3 neuere 3it my lijf j^at dare I leye
So ioly so faire so goodly as is sche
Whos I am al & schal till fat I deye 1607
And that I thus am hers dare I seye
)?at Ranked be ^e hi3e worpinesse
Of loue .And eke pi kynde bisinesse 1610
1600
1603
(231)
1611
Thou hast now me no litle ping [i-]3eue
For whiche to pee oblisched be for ay
Mi lijf .and whi. for porugh pi helpe I lyue
Or ellis deed hadde I be for manye a day
And wip pat worde doune on his bedde he lay
And Pandre ful sobrely him herde
Til al was seide .& thanne he^ pus answerde {} he later} 1617
1614
163
BOCCAOOIO'B FILOSTRATOy BOOK 111.
Chaucer's tboylus and cryseyde^ book hi. 163
(60)
1 " Fair sweet friend, if I have done anything
2 That is grateftil to thee, I am extremely pleased,
3 And it is supremely gratifying to me.
4 But none the less I more than ever remind thee
5 To put a bridle to thine amorous mind,
6 And to be wise ; so that, whereas thou hast slaked thy
torment
7 With delightful joy,
8 Thou do not return into annoy through talking."^
' The four Ihies whioh follow next in Chancer, beginning stanza
SS3, are not from Boccaccio, but from Dante.
(61)
1 '^ I will do it so that it shall content thee,"
2 Heplied Troilus to his dear friend.
(232)
My dere frende If I have do for |>ee
In any caas. god woote it is me leef
And am as gladde as man may of it be
God helpe me so. but take it not a greef
])at I schal seie. bewar of ])is mischeef
\>9i ]>ere as now ])ou art brought in blisse
\>a\, ])oa ])i silf. cause it not to mysse
(233)
For of fortunes scharp aduersite
]?e worst kynde of Infortune is ])iB
A man to haue be in prosperite
And it remembrij) whan7ie it passid is
Jjou art wise ynow for-fi do not-amis
Be not to rakel ])ough ])ou sit warme
For if ])ou be certeyne it wole ])ee harme
(234)
Thou art at ese and holde )»ee wel ]>drynne
For also sure as reed is euery fire
Als greet a crafte is to kepe wele as wyn
Bridel alwei wel \\ speche & \i desire
For worldly ioye holt not but hi a wire
]?at pr&ue)» wel it breki]) al day so ofbe
For-)»i nede is to wirche wi]) it softe
(235)
^ftuod Troy 1 us y hope and god to-fom
My dere frende fat y shal so me here
]?at in my gilt ^er shal no thing be lorn
Ne rakyl nel y be for to grevyn here
Hit nedif not al day \\& fing to tere
For wist Jjow my hert wele Pandare
Grod wote of fis ful litil woldist fou care
1618
1621
1624
1625
1628
1631
1632
1635
1638
PoAfes]
1639
[1 hand S, ofleovet 9-M,
begin* (igain]
1642
1645
BOOOAOCIO'8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK 1
OHAUOBb's TBDTLUB AHD CRnXfDS, BOOK III. 164
3 Then he lelated to him his happy adventareB,
4 And continued : " I teU thee in truth
5 That I waa never iuaide the neta of Love
6 As I am now - and atill more than the old one,
7 Now does the fire bake me which I have caught
8 From the eyea and face of Chrjseia.
(62)
1 " But thia fire
2 Which I feel new is of other quality
3 Than the former one."
1 The young man could not aatiate himaelf
2 With talking to Pandaras of the bliss
3 Which he had felt, and the delight,
4 And the comfort given to his pains.
(64)
1 In short while, the happy fortune
2 Of TroiluB gave opportunity for his lovea.
(236)
po gan he telle bym of his glade ny^t
And wherof feist hia hert died & how
And aeid frend as y am a trewe knygHt
And by pat fei^ y aha! to god & yow
I had hit neuere half' ao hoot as now
And ay f e more Jtat deaire me bititb
To loue her best )ie more hit me delitith
(2S7)
T not not wialy what it ia
But now y fele a newe qualito
Ye al a aoyer ))an y ded or ^is
Pandara anawerd & aeid }ius ^ot he
p&i may onya in hevyn hlia be
he felith o^er-wiae dare y ley
Pan fat tyme he herd feret of hit aey
(238)
Thia ie a word for al thia Troylna
Was neu«-e f ul to speke of )>ia maten
And for to piayae to Pandania
Jje bonnte ot hia right lady dere
And Pandare to fnnkyn & makyn cheie
)}is tale was span newe to bygyn
Til ])at ^ night departid hem a twya
(239)
Sone aitii yie for pat fortune it wolde
jjat comyn was pe blisful tyme swetd
That Ttoylus was wamid ^at he sholde
f)tir he was arst Cryseid his lady mete
For which he felt in ioy his hert flete
And feithfolly gan al fe goodnea herye ^ [■ > »«?» ab
And let ae now if he can be mety
ftobnl
1673
165
BOOOAOOIO'B FILOSTRATO, book III.
Chaucer's trovlus and cryseyde, book hi. 166
(66)
1 Chryseia
3 Pursued wholly the same course as before.
6 With great joy
7 They entered the chamber together,
8 And lay down without any delay.
(70)
1 But the hostile day was approaching,
2 As by signs was manifestly discerned :
(240)
And holdyn was fe fot^rme & al ))e wyse [leaf 6s, back] 1674
Of his comyng and eke of here also
As hit was arst which nedi]? not devise
But pleynly right to pe eflFect to go 1677
In ioy and seurte Pandarus hem to
Abed broght whan ])at hem two lest
And ])us pei be in quiete and in rest 1680
3 Which each angrily blasphemed.
(241)
Wliat nedith to yow seth pei be met
To aske at me if J^ei blithe were
For if it effc was wele f o was it bet
A tliouaand fold ])an arst it nedi]) not to enquere
And gone was eucry sorow & eucry fere
And bo]7 y-wis ])ei had & so )yei wend
As miche ioy as hert myght comprehend
(242)
This is no litil ])ing for to sey
This passi]) eny wyt for to devise
For eche of hem gan o\u lust, obey
Felicite which \dX ]>es clerses wise
Comendyn so ne may not here suffise
This ioy may not writyn be with ynk*
]A& passith al ])at hert may bethink*
(243)
But cruel day so welaway ])e stound
Gan for to a-proche as ]>ei by signes knewe
For which hem foght J>ei felt de]>es wound
So wo was hem pai chaungyn gan her hewe
And day ])ei gun to despise al newe
Callyng liit traytour envious & wors
And bittirly ])e dayes light to curs
1681
1684
1687
1688
1691
1694
1695
1698
1701
166
BOCCACCIO 8 FILOSTJUTO, BOOK III.
CHAUCEB's TBOYLUS and CRYSBYDBy BOOK UI. 166
(71)
1 The one made parting from the other
2 In the accustomed mode, after many sighs ;
3 And they provided for the future that, without
4 Delay, they should return to those desires.
(72)
1 Troilus was content, and in songs
2 And joy he led his life.
(84)
1 Troilus sings, and makes wondrous glee ;
2 He jousts, spends, and gladly makes presents,
3 And he often renews and changes clothing.
(72)
5 He believed in himself that all
6 Other men live in dull sadness,
7 Compared with himself ;
8 So much did his happiness charm and please him.
(244)
duod Troylus alas now y am ware
That Pirous and ])e swift stedis thre
Whicfe fat drawyn forth fe suwnis chare
hath go some bipath in despite of me
j>a,t makif hit so sone day to be
And for fe swine hastith hym so to rise
Ke shal y neudre done hym sacrifise
(245)
Bvt nedis departe hem must sone
And speche doun was here & there
))ei twyn a-none as fei be wont to don)
And settyn tyme of metyng eft yn fere
And meny a nyght J>ei wroght in J)is manure
And Jras for fortxme a tyme byd in joy
Criseid and eke fis kinges sone of troy
(246)
In suffisaunce in blis and yn likynges
This Troylus gan al his lyf* to lede
he spendith iustiti^ and makith f estynges
he yeuith oft f rely and chaungith wede
and holt about hym al wey out of drede
A world of folk* as come him wel of* kynd
j)e fresshed and fe best he myght fynd
(247)
pat such a vois of* hym was & a steuene
]?urgh-out fe world of honoz<r & largesse
That it vp rong vn to J)e yate of hevene
And as in loue he was in sucli gladnes
]?at in his hert he demyd as y ges
That fer is no louvre in fis world at ese
So wele as he & fus gan loue hym plese
1702
1705
1708
DMfM] 1709
1712
1716
1716
1719
1722
1723
1726
1729
167
BOOOACGIO'S FILOSTRATOf BOOK III.
Chaucer's tboylus and crysbyde, book hi. 167
3 The lofty beauties and the lovely looks
4 Of any other lady he prizes nought,
5 Save his Chryseis.
(73)
1 He sometimes took Pandarus
2 By the hand, and went into a garden with him ;
3 And with him he would first speak of Chryseis,
4 Her excellence and her courtesy :
6 Then joyfully he began with him,
6 Wholly removed from melancholy,
7 Joyfully to sing in this wise.^
' The BODg given by Boccaccio comprises the passages cited (pp.
106—106) as being utilized by Chaucer in his proem to Canto 3,
Consequently the song now given by Chaucer differs in detail from
Boocaooio*fl^ and is adapted from Boethius.
(248)
pe goodliheed or beaute which fat kynd
In eny other lady had y-sette
Can not fe mountaunce of o knot vnbyud
Of bounte his hert of al Criseidis net
he was so narwe y-maskid and y-knet
That hit vndone on eny manere side
hit nel not be for noght }>at may betide
(249)
And by ])e honde ful oft he wold take
This Pandare and yn to gardyn lede
And such a feest & such a processe make
hym of Criseyd and of* her womanhede
And of her beute fat with-out drede
hit was an hevyn his wordis for to here
And fan he wold syng in f is manere
1730
1733
1736
1737
1740
1743
(260) {Troilii^s Song of Love,)
(Not in Harl 3943 ; taken from Harl. 1239, leaf Si, bach)
[Love that oner see and of erthe hath gou^maunca 1744
Loue fat his heste^ hath in heuena heye
Loue fat with a holesome alliaunce
Halt peples loynyd as hym lust hem gye 1747
loue fat kennyth law [&] companye
And couples doth in vertu for to dwells
[ no gap in the MS,]
(251)
1751
That f e worlde with feyth wiche fat is stabuH
Diuerseth so his stoundis concordyng
That elementus fat byn discordabuH
holdith A boute perpetuett doyng
That phebus mote forthe his rosi dai brynge
And that the mone hath lordeschipe auer the [nyghtes]
AH this dothe loue y-heride be his myghtes 1757
1754
168
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK HI.
OHAUOER's TROYLUS AKD CRTSBTDBf BOOK III. 168
(252)
That that the see ])at gredi is to flowyn
Constrejiiyth to a seiten ende soo
His fiodes J>at so fersly they ne grevyfi
To drenchen erthe and euer more moo
And yif that loue. ouguht pete] hys brydyl goo
Al that [now] loueth / a sonder shold lepe
And lost were bB. / J^at loue holt now to kepe
[Eari.l8M] 1758
CMS. npMto n. 1756-0]
1761
1764
* This pnreae in Boccaccio fixes as true, do doubts the reading
of Chaucer ** In time of truce." Bell's edition notices this reading
as given by *< the printed editions ; " though his own substitutes
" Out of Troy."
(90)
1 In the actions opportune for their wai
2 He was always the first in arms;
3 For he issued forth on the Greeks out of the city
4 So brave and so strong and so fierce
5 That every one dreaded him, if the story errs not :
6 And this so daring spirit,
7 Beyond wont, did Love lend him,
8 Of whom he was a faithful servant.
(253)
So wolde gode that Auctor is of kynde 1765
J)at mtJi hys bonde. lowe of his vertu lyst
To cherysson hertes. and alle fast bynde
^at from) hys bonde they wey no wyght ne oute wyste
And hertes tolde hem. wolde I ])at he twyste
To make hem loue and that hem) lyst ay Bewe
Oil) hertes soore and kcpe hem that beii) trewe] 1771
(254)
In al ])e nedis for ^ tounys werre [HmL sms, imtM, Uok] 1772
he was & ay fe ferst in annys dig&t
And certeinly but if fat bokys erre
Save Ector moost dred of eny wight 1775
And yia encrece of* hardynes of myght*
Come hym of loue his lady grace to wynne
])at alterid his spirit 80 withyn 1778
(91)
1 In the times of truce ^ he went fowling,
2 Holding falcons, gerfalcons, and eagles.
3 And sometimes he hunted with hounds,
4 Pursuing bears, boars, and great lions ;
5 He contemned all the small animals.
6 And, from time to time seeing Chryseis,
7 He remade himself gracious and beautiful,
8 Like a falcon issuing from the hood.
(256)
Out of Troy an haukyng wold he ride
Or hunt bore bere or lyon)
l)e smale bestis lete he go beside
And whan he come rydyng to pe toun)
Felt his lady fre her wyndow douii)
As fresshe as faucon) comith out of mewe
Ful redy was hym goodly to salewe
1779
1782
1785
169
BOOCAOOIO'S FILOSTRATOf BOOK HI.
CHAUOBR's TBOTLUS and CRY8E7DE, BOOK III. 169
(92)
1 All his talk was of love
2 Or of fair breeding, and full of courtesy ;
3 He highly praised the honouring of worthy men,
4 And in like wise the discarding of the bad.
(92)
7 And, without love, he held every one lost.
(93)
1 And, although he was of royal
2 Blood, and also, had he chosen, would have had much
power,
3 He made himself benign to all equally ;
8 And he draws all people after him.
4 Thus willed Love, who can do anything.
7 Pride, envy, and avarice, he held in detestetion.
Bk I, St 3.
3 And thou. Mother of Love, with thy jocund
4 And glad aspect, & thy rapid son, •
5 With his daxts potent in every world.
Bk I, St. 1.
1 O Castalian Sisters, who in Mount
2 Helicon dwell content.
TR0TLU8.
88
(256)
And most of loue & verta was his speche
And in despite had al wrecchidnes
And doutles no nede was hym biseche
To honouryn hem Jiat haddyn worthines
And esyn hem )>at weryn in distres
And glad was he if eny wight wel ferde
pat louer was whan he hit wist or herde
(257)
For so]7e to seyn he lorn had eu^' wight
But if he were in louis hye servise
I mene folk fai oght it bene of right
And ouer al ^is so wele couj^e he deuise
Of sentement and yn so vncou])e wise
Ait his aray pai euery louer thoght
pai al was loue )>at eu^re he seyd or wroght
(258)
And ]>ogh ]7at he be come of blood ryal
Hym lest of pride at no wight chace
Benyng he was to eche in general
For which he gate hym ])onk in enery place
)>us wold loue y-heried be his grace
])at pride envie ire and auarice
He gan to fle and enery of ir vice
•
(259)
Yow lady bright ^ doghtir of Dione Omtts]
Thy blynd eke & wyngyd son) daun Gupide
ye sustryn eke ix that by Elicone
In hlH Femaso lest to a-byde
])at ^e ]7Tis ferre han deynid me to gyde
I can no more but seth fai je wol wende
Ye heried be for aye wi)K)utyn ende
1786
1789
1792
1793
1796
1799
1800
1803
1806
1807
1810
1813
170
BOOOACXAO'S FIL08TRAT0, BOOK IIL
CHAUOBB's TS07WS AUD CRTSEYDEf BOOK lU. 170
(260)
piiigti jow have y seid fully in my song*
Theifect and icy of Troylns servise
Al be it ])at fere were some dissese among*
As to myn autour lest to devise
Me my boke now ende y in fia wise
And Troylus in lyst and in quyete
Is with Cryseyde his own hert suete
1814
1817
1820
[End of Book III]
[No break in the M8,'\
171
BOOOACCIO'S WlVOaTRATO, BOOK IT.
ohauoib's Ttonvs mo crtsbtob, book it. 171
BOOK IV.
(94)
1 Bat Buch bliss lasted small while,
2 Thanks to envious Fortune,
3 Who keeps nothing stable in this world.
4 She turned her angry face to him.
7 She bereft him of the sweet fruits of Ghryseis.
{Harleian MS. 3943, an leaf 65.)
(1) (Proem)
But al to litil welawej fe while 1
lastith such ioy )K>nkid be fortune
p&t seemith trusty whan she wole bygile
And can to folis so her song entune 4
))at she hem hent & blent traitour commuM
And whan a wight is firom her whele y-J^row
]?an lawghij) she and maki^ hym fe mow 7
(2)
From Troylus she gan her bright face 8
Awey to wrye and toke of hym non hede
But cast hym clene out of his lady grace
And on her whele she set vp Diomede 11
For which right now myn hert gynnij) to blede
And now my penne alas with which y write
QuakiJ) for drede of ^at y must endyte 14
(3)
For how Cryseyd Troylus forsoke 15
Or at ^ lest how that she was vnkynde
Mote hennis-forth be mater of my boke
And^ writyn folk thurgh which it is in mynd {^mam] 18
Alas )>at eaere fei shold cause f ynd
To speke her harme & if |>eL on her lye
I-wis hem self shuld have ^e vilanye* 21
172
BOGCAOGIOS FILOST&ATO, BOOK lY.
CHAUOSB's TBOYLUS ASD CRYSKYDE^ book IV. 172
BOOK IV.
(1)
1 The Greeks holding the city straitened
2 By dose siege, —
2 Hector, in whose hands
3 Was the whole war, made a selection
4 Of his friends and also of the Trojans ;
5 And yalorous, with his chosen band,
6 He issued into the ample plains against the Greeks,-
7 As many another time he had done.
ClMif6MiMkj
(4) [Invocaii(m\
Y ye herynes nightis doghtryn thre
)>at endeles compleynyn euer in pyne
Megera aliete \ovi thesiphone
Thow cruel god eke fadir of Qwyrine
This fer)»e book me helpith for to fyne
So J)at J)e loos of lyf" & loue y-fere
Of Troylus be fully shewid here.
(5) [The Story.]
Lyggyng* yn oost as y have seyd or this
The grekys strong* a-bout tioy toun)
£yf el whan ^at Phebus shynyng is
Yp on fe brest of* Hercules lyon
That Ector wi]? meny a bold baroii)
Cast on a day with grekys for to fight
As he was wont to greve hem what he myght
22
26
28
29
32
35
(2)
3 But at last the fighti^ of the Trojans
4 Did not turn out well ; whence needful after all
5 It was to flee with damage and travaO.
(6)
ITote y how long or short hit was bytwene
This purpos Ss ])at day ])e ])us ment
But at ^ day wele armyd bright Ss shene
With spere in hond & big bowys bent
Ector and meny worthy wight out went
And in fe berde without eny lenger let
Her fomen in pe feld anone they met
(7)
pe long day with speris sharp y-ground
Wif arwes dartis swerdis macys felle
)>ei fight & bryng* hors & man to ground
And wij) her axes out ^ brayn quelle
But in fe last shour ^e sothe to t^
J)e folk* of Troy hem self* so mysleddyn
]?at ynp pe wors homward at nyght ^i fleddyn
36
39
42
43
46
49
173
BOOOACOIO'S FILOSTBATOf BOOK IT.
OHAUOKB'8 TS07LU8 AND CBTSETDSf BOOK IV. 173
(3)
1 Among whom [prisoners] was the magnificent Antenor»
2 His son Folydamas, and Monestheus,
3 Xanthippos, Sarpedon, Polymnestor,
4 Also Polites, and the Trojan Eiphssus.
7 So that great wailing and mourning was made in Troy,
8 And, as it were, an omen of still worse sorrow.
(4)
1 Priam asked for a truce, and it was granted him ;
2 And they began to treat together
3 For exchanging prisoners that time,
4 And for giving money for the surplus.
5 Which Calchas hearing of, with altered
6 Face and with loud plaint, he betook himself
7 Among the Greeks ; and, through the hoarse bawling,^
^ I translate this in conformity with Chaucer's phrase, ''to
stynte noyse." I am not sure, however, but that Boooacoio means
the words to apply to Calchas himself, " hoarse with vociferating "
(" per lo gridap fiooo ").
8 He yet besought that they would hear him a little.
(5)
1 " Lords," began Calchas, " I was
2 A Trojan, as you all know :
3 And, if well you remember, I am he
4 Who first to that for which ye have come hither
5 Brought hope ; and I told you that you
6 Will obtain it at the "fitting term, —
7 That is, victory in your emprise, —
8 And Troy shall be by you destroyed and burned.
(8)
Atte which day was takyn Anteigne
Maugre Polidamas or Penestio
Sartipe Garpedon PoUstenore
Or Polyte or the troian daun Eiphio
Or offer lasse folk* as phebuseo
So ])at for hem ^at day pe folk* of Troy
Dreddyn to lese a grete parte of her ioy
(9)
Of PriamtM was yeve at Grekys requeste
A tyme of trews and fo fei gunnyn tretc
her prisoners to chaunge most and leste
And for the surplus yeven 807?unes grete
\>Ib kyng was [couthe] a-none in euery strete
Thurgft pe sege in toun) eke euerywhere
And with ^ ferst hit come to calcas ere
(IP)
Whan Calcas knew ^is Tretys shold hold
In consistorie among ])e grekis as sone
he gan yn thring* forth wi^ ])e lordis old
And set hym ^ere he was wont to done
And wi)» a chaungid face he bade a bone
For loue of god to do ^at reuerence
To stynt noyse and yeve hym audience
(11)
pan seyd he ])U8 lo lordis myn y-wis
A troian as it is knowe out of drede
And if pat pow remembre y am calcas
)>at alther ferst yaf comfort to jour nede
And told wele how je sholdyn spede
For dredles ])urg!l-out wij>-in a stound
Troy be brent & drawyn doun to ground
[leaf 66]
50
53
56
57
60
63
64
67
70
71
74
77
174
Boccaccio's filostrato, book iv.
CHAUOBB*S TBOYLUS AND CRTSETDB, BOOK IV. 174
(6)
1 ** Also the order and mode to be held
2 " Herein ye know, for I have showed it you.
7 '' To youy as is apparent, I came,
8 To give you in this both counsel and aid.
(7)
7 * I had to act with great secresy, and decamped at
nightfall.
8 '' But I left there all that I had.
(8)
1 ** For this, in truth, I care little or nothing ;
2 '' Save for a young daughter of mine
3 Whom I left there. Alas ! hard
4 And rigid father that I was ! Had I but brought her,
deserted,
5 Hither into safety I
8 * The hurry was too great to allow of my bringing away
Chryseis.
(9)
1 ** Nor hitherto have I seen a time to be able to claim her :
2 Therefore I have kept silence.
3 But now is the time when I may get at her,
4 If I can succeed in obtaining tlus boon from you.
8 * If this opportunity fails me, I shall never get her back,
and may as well die at onue.
(10)
6 "Console,
7 For God's sake, sirs, this old caitive,
8 Who is void and bereft of all other solace.
(12)
And in what fourme & yn what manure wise 78
This toun is shent and al your lust shal cheve
Ye haue or f ia wele herd me yow devise
This knowyn ye my lordis as y leve 81
And for pe grekis weryn me so leve
I come my self* in propre persone
To teche yow what you was best to done 84
(13)
Havyng* vn-to my tresour ne my rent 85
No resport to respect of your ese
Thus al my good y lost & to yow went
Wenyng in f is my lord yow to plese 88
But al my losse me doth no dissese
I vouche saaf also have y ioy
For yow to lese al fat y had in troy 91
14)
Save of a doghtir y&t y left alas [iwf06^bMk] 92
Slepyngi i^t home whan out of* toun y stert
steme cruel f adir that y was
how myglit y in fai have so hard an hert 95
Alas y ne had her broght in her shert
For sorow of" which y wole not ly ve to morow
But if ye lordis wole ruwe on my sorow 98
(15)
For by fat cause y sawe no tyme or now 99
Her to deliuere y have hold my pees
But now or neuere if it likif jou
1 may her have for fat is doutles 102
O help & grace among al f is pres
Eewith on f is old caytif in distresse
Jjurgh yow seth y am broght in wrecchidnes 105
175
BOOOACCIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK IT.
CHAUCER'S TROYLUS AND CItYSETDKy BOOK IV. 175
1 " Here are with you a number of noble barons,
2 Trojans and others.
4 Give me one only of the many,
5 In place of whose releasing
6 I may have my daughter.
(11)
1 ' Be not greedy of gold in exchange for the captives.
3 " Every Trojan force, all their riches,
4 Are in your hands for certain."
5 " Hector, who as yet keeps Troy gates closed against you
8 is doomed soon to die a violent death.'
(
(12)
1 Saying this, the aged priest,
2 Humble in his speaking and in his aspect,
3 Ever scored his cheeks with tears.
5 Nor were
C His prayers void of pitiful effect ;
7 For, when he ceased, the Greeks with clamour
8 All cried : " Let An tenor be given him."
(16)
Ye have now caght & fetrid yn prison)
Troians y-now and if your wil be
My child w'ip on may have redempcion)
Now for fe loue of god & of bounte
One of so fele alas so grauntith me
What were pia prayer now to weme
Seth ye shul have folk & f e toun) as yeme
(17)
Vp peril of* my lyf* y shal not lye
Apollo hath me told sikirly
I have eke foundyn by astronomye
By sort and augury eke truly
And dare wele sey pe tyme is fast by
pai fere & flauroe on al pe touii) shal sprede
And ])U8 shal troy turne in to asshyn dede
(18)
For certeyn phebus & Neptunu« bo]7e
That madyn al ^e wallis of pe toun)
Be with pe folk* of Troy alwey so wroJ)e
p&t ))ei wole bryng hem to confusion)
Eight in despyte of* king lameadon)
By-cause he nold not pay hem her hire
The toun of Troy shal be set a fire
(19)
Tellyng his tale alwey ^is old gray
humblely his speche and lokyng eke
j>e salt teris from his eyen tway
Ful faste ran doun on either cheke
So long of mercy he gan hem byseke
]3at for to help hym of* his sorowis sore
They fan faf* hym Antenore wijj-out mor«
106
109
112
113
116
119
120
123
126
[iMfCT] 127
130
138
176
BOOOAOOIO'b FILOSTRATO, book IV.
Chaucer's trotlus and crtsbydSj book iv. 176
(13)
1 And Calchas was content^
2 And he committed the business to negociators.
7 [Diomed was] then to give the word of Calchas
8 To surrender Antenor for his daughter.^
' These two lines come from Baronies edition of the FUottrato ;
there is nothing strictly corresponding to them in Moutier's edition.
* I reproduce Chaucer's word, ** parlement/* Boccaocio's word
also is '* parlamento *' — but used, I presume, in no more extended
sense than " parley, pourparler."
3 Who [the negociators] told nis wish to king Priam,
4 And to his sons, and to the lords
5 Who also were there ; whence a parliament *
6 Was held about this.
6 And to the ambassadors
7 They replied briefly — If they would surrender to them
the persons specified,
8 Theirs would be given up.
(14)
1 Troilus was present at the demand
2 Which the Greeks made ; and, hearing Chryseis
3 Asked for, he suddenly felt his heart within
4 Go all transpierced ;
5 Troilus felt as if he should die.
6 So that he thought he should die, there sitting.
7 But with difficulty nevertheless he restrained within
8 His love and plaining, as was befitting.
(15)
1 And, full of anguish and of fierce dread,
2 He began to await what should be answered.
6 If he should hear it debated among his brothers
7 That Chryseis should be surrendered to Calchas.
(16)
8 The alarmed donzel stood b'^'^ween two.
(15)
8 How by any means he could avert it.
(20)
But who was glad y-now but Calcas ]yo
And of ]7is fid sone his nede he leyde
On hem ])at shold for the tretys go
And hem for Antenore f ul oft preyde
To bring home kyng Koas and Criseide
And whan VriBxaus her safe conduyt hem sent
Jje Ambassiatours to Troy streight J)ei went
(21)
pe cause y-told of her comyng pe old
Priamus J>e kyng« ful sone in general
Gan J>ervp[on] his parlement to holde
Of which j^effect rehersyn yow y shal
]^ambassiatours hem answerd for final
The chaunge of prisoners and al \i\a nede
hem likith wele and forthe fei gan precede
(22)
This Troylus was present in ])e place
Whan askid was for Antenore Criseide
For which to chaunge sone gan his face
As he pat welny with pe wordis deide
But napeles he no word to hit seide
I.«est men shold his affeccioni) aspie
Wip maTznys hert he gan his sorowis dry
(23)
And ful of angwisshe & of grysly drede
Abode what lordis wold to hit sey
And if pei wold graunte as god forbede
Jpeschaunge of hem pan poght he pingis twey
Ferst for to saue her honour & what wey
He myght best pe gmuntyng with-stonde
\>\a cast he po how al pis myght stonde
134
137
140
141
144
147
148
151
154
155
158
161
177
BOOOAOOIOS FILOSTBATOy BOOK IV.
Chaucer's troylus and crtsetdb, book iy. 177
(16)
1 Love made him eager
2 To oppose eyery thing. But on the other side was
3 Reason who gainsaid it, and who
4 Made very duhious that daring enterprise,
6 Lest haply, at this, Chryseis should be angry
6 Through shame.
TBOTLUa
98
(24)
Love hym made al prest to do her byde
Or rathir dyen fan she shold go
But reson seyd hym on Jiat oper side
With-out Jmssent of her do not so
Lest for thy work she wold be thy f oo
And sey ]Mit J^urgli fi medlyng is y-blow
Your bo^ loue ^r it was arst vnknow
(25)
For whidl he gan deliueryn for ^ best
pat ]K)gti ^ lordis wold that she went
he wolde suffire hem grounte what hem lest
And tell his lady f erst what Jmi ment
And whan y&t she had told hym her entent
persitir wold he wurkyn as blive
Thogb al Jie worid a-yen hit wold strive
(26)
H[ec]tor whicb ^at wele Jm grekis herde
For Anteigne how fei wold have Criseide
Ghm hit withstond Ss sobrely answerd
Sirs she is no prisoner he seyd
I note on yow ho fva charge leyde
But for my parte ^e may wel sone hym telle
We vsyn here no wymmen for to eelle
(27)
The voys of y peple stert vp fan at onys
As breme as blase of straw y-set a fjrre
For inf ortune wold for the nonys
They sholdyn her confusion) desire
Ector qtu)& ])ei what goost may yow enspire
This woman fna to sheld & done vs lese
Daun Antenore a wrong wey now ye chese
P«Kf07,taok] 162
165
168
169
172
175
176
179
182
183
186
189
178
BOGOAOOIOS FJWSTRATO, BOOK IV.
CHAUOEB's TROYLUS and CRY8SYDB, BOOK lY. 178
(28)
That is so wys and eke so bold baron) 190
And we have nede of folk as men maj se
He eke is one the grettest of this ionfi
Ector lete sucH fantasies be 193
kyng PriamiM qt^x) ^ei lo )>U8 sey we
\)s,i our wil is to forgo Cryseide
And to deliuere Antenore ^ei preyde imidqfofdkMdt\ 196
(29)
lunenafi lorde sothc is thy sentence
that litil know folke what is to yeme
that thei ne fynde in their desire offence
for cloude of erroui' late them disceme
What best is and lo her' ensample as yeme
These folke desiren now delyueraunce
Of^ Antenor yai brought hem to myschannce
iTk4 taUr kand 1 betiitu affaiu,
and gom on to the ratf. J
P«f68] 197
200
203
(30)
FOr he was afftii' traitour to the toun
Of Troy alias they quy tf hym oute to rathd
nyce worlde lo thy discrecioun
Crisseide whicK ^at nevir did them skathe
shal now no longer [in] hir bli8[se] bathe
Bat Antenor' he shaH com home to toun
And she shall oute thus saide hei' and hown
204
207
210
(17)
2 Many things were discussed
3 Between the barons,
7 And that Chryseis should be surrendered.
8 They said she had never been detained. — ^Troilns fell
down in a swoon. Priam« Hector, and his brothers, did
their best to recoTer him. At last he revived ; and, without
allowing any time for questioning, he made off^ and returned
to his palace.
(81)
FOr whicti delyuerid was by parliament
for Antenor to yelde oute Crisseile
And it pronouncid by the president
Ay though Ector nay full ofiPte praide
that finally what wight ^at it w^t/{8eide
It was for nought It must be and shulde
For substaunce of the parliament it wolde
211
2U
217
179
B0CCACX3I0S FIWST&ATO, BOOK IV.
CHAUCKB'b TS0YLU8 AND 0MT8XYDBf BOOK IY» 179
(22)
2 Without hearkening or taming to any one,
5 He went into his chamber, and said th^t he wished
6 To rest himself; wherefore ereiyone,
7 Friend and servitor although dear,
8 Went out.i
(23)
Here Boccaccio again addresses his lady. He says that
her benign influence will not be needed to enable him to
describe the miseiy of Troilus, for his own personal experi-
ence of the sorrows of parting will sufficiently guide him.
He implores her to return ; and it ought to be soon, for
meanwhile his life is failing. (In his proem, it may be
added, Boccaccio expressly affirms that he has never been
favoured by his lady as was Troilus by Ghryseia VaUat
quantum.)
(26)
Troilus gave vent to his wretchedness with such self-
abandonment that he seemed a rabid wild-beast, and not a
man.
8 But first they closed the vrindows.
1 Troilus therefore, remaining alone
2 In his chamber locked and dark.
* The first two lines of the suoceeding stania, 83, are taken by
Ghauoer from Dante.
' These lines also are evidently founded by Bocoaccio upon n
pavage in Dante.
(27)
1 Not otherwise does the bull go leaping
2 Now here now there, after he has received
3 The mortal stroke,' and, lowing miserably,
4 He makes known what pain he has suffered,
5 Than did Troilus, throwing himself prone,
6 And striking frantically
7 His head against the wall, and his face with his hands,
8 With fists his breast and his aching arms.
(32)
DEpartid out of* parliament eu^rychone 218
This Troilus wMoutyn wordis moo
In to his chambre spedde hym faste aUone
but yifi it wei' a man of his or two 221
the whiche he bad oute £aste for to goo
bicause he wolde slope as he saide
And hastyly vpon his bedde hym laide 224
(33)
And as in wynter levis bene beraffte 225
Echo afiTtir other tiH the tree be bare
so ya\t ther nys but barke & braunohe Heffte
lithe Troilus berafite of eche welfare 328
I-boundyn in ^e b[l]akk* barke of care
Disposid oute of his witt to braide
So sooi' hym satt the eschaunge of Grisseide 231
(34)
HE Risith hym vp & euery dore he shetl^ pMf a,iiMk] 232
And wyndow eke & tho this sorowfUB man)
vpon his bedde side adowne hym sett
fuH like a Dede ymage pale and wanne 235
And in his brest the hepid wo biganne
Out-brest and he to wirke in this vrise
In .his woodenesse as I shaH yow devise 238
(35)
Byght as the wilde bulle b^;ynnytb to spryngd 239
now here now thei' I-dartid to the herte
And of his deth rorith a compleynyngd
Right so ganne he aboute the chambre sterte 242
Smytyng* his brest ay wttA his fistis smerte
his hede to the waH his bodio to the grounde
FuH ofte he swappid hym silf to confownde 245
180
BOGCAOCIO'S FILOSTRATOy BOOK IT.
CHAUGBB's TROYLUa AND CRYSEYDS, BOOK IT. 180
(28)
1 His wretched eyes, for pity of bia hearty
2 Wept sore, and seemed two fountains.
4 The high sobs of his weeping
5 Also took away the purport of his vain words.^
7 They went asking nothing else except death,
8 Blaspheming and flouting the gods and himself.
(29)
»
1 After the great fury had given way,
2 And by continuance his weeping moderated,
4 He threw himself on his bed awhile ;
5 Kot ceasing, however, wholly or a little,
6 To weep sore, and to sigh so much
7 That his head and breast hardly sufficed him
8 For so much distress as he gave himself.
(30)
1 Then soon afterwards he began to say
2 To himself in his wailing : *' miserable Fortune,
3 What have I done to thee, that thou thus opposest every
desire
4 Of mine 1 Hast thou no
5 Other concern than my wretchedness 1
(30)
7 '* I who erewhile loved thee far
8 Better than any other god, as thou cruel knowest !
^ I have translated these lines as if worded thus :
** Gli alti singhiozsi del pianto a le vane
Parole Anoor toglievano il valore/'
This oorresponds in sense with the passage in Chaucer, and also
with the passage in Baroni's edition of the Filostrato, In Moutier*A
edition, it stands "0 le vane," Sic.^ which I certainly conceive to be
a misreading.
(36)
Hys eyne two for piety of the herte
oute stremyd as swifte wellis twey
the hie sobbis of his sorowis smerte
his speche hym raffte vnnethis myght he sey
O deth alias why nylte povL do me dey
cursid be )>at day which ^t nature
Shope me to be a livis creature
(37)
But afflir whanne fe fiirie & fe rage
Which pat his herte twiste & fast threste
be lengths of tyme somwhat gan assuage
vpon his bedde he laide hym down to reste
but tho biganne his tens oute to breste
that wondre is the bodie may suffise
To half* this wo which I you devise
(38)
Than saide he thus o fortune alias ])* while
What haue I done what haue I thus agUte
how maist pou for rut£ me beguyle
Ys thei^ no grace & shall I thus be spilte
8haH this crisseide away for pat thou wilte
Alias hou maist pon in thyn hert[e] fynde
To be to me thus cruel & vnkynde
(39)
HAue I the not honourid aH my liff*
As thou wel wotist aboue the goddis al^
Why nylte pou me frome loy thus depryff
Troilus what may men the call
but wretche of wrechis out of honour fall
In-to myserie in whiche I wiH bewaile
Crisseide alias vn-to the breth me faile
246
249
262
253
256
259
260
263
266
CiMf6»} 267
270
273
181
BOCO^OOIOS FIWSTRATOf BOOK lY.
CBAUOBB's TBOYLUS AJ9D CRY8E7DB, BOOK IT. 181
(31)
1 « If my happy and gracious life
2 Displeased thee,
3 ' Why didst thou not rather demolish Troy t
4 *' Why didst thou not bereave me of my father,-
6 Why not Hector 1 1
(32)
1 '' If Chryseis alone had been left me,
2 For no other great harm
3 Should I care, nor say a word about it
4 '* But thy darts go straight
6 Always to the things one has the greatest appetite for,
6 To show the more the power of thy deceiying.
(33)
1 '' Ah me ! Love, sweet lord and pleasant,
2 Who knowest all that lies within my soul 1
3 What will my sorrowing life do
4 If I lose this bliss, this my peace f
5 Ah me 1 gentle Love, who once
6 Didst console my mind, veritable lord !
7 What shall I do if she is taken from me
8 To whom, by thy will, I gave all myself 1
(34)
1 " I will weep, and always remain doleful
2 Wherever I am, while the life
3 Shall endure in this my anguished body.
* Paris is given in at the end of the stania.
(40)
Alias fortune yif* f^at my lif f* in loy
displesid hadde vn-to thy f oule envye
Why ne haddist pou my fadii' kyng of* Troy
by crafiFto the liffi or done my bretheme dey
Or slayne my silf* / )>at thus compleyn & cry
I combre the worlde fat may no thyng serve
but alwey dy & nevii* fully sterve
(«)
Teve that allone Crisseide wer^ me lafile
nought rou^t I whedirwarde^ pon wilt stere
And hir alias feoi hast ]k)u me beraffte
but euer^mord lo this is thy manere
To reve a wighte fat most is to hym dere
to proue in that thy greffufi violence
thus am I lost* thei^ helpith no difience
(42)
O verry lorde of* love / o god alias
that knowist best myn herte & a& my thoug&te
What shall my sorowf utt lif* do in J^is cas
Yef* I forgo ])at I so dere haue boughte
Sen ye Crisseide haue me fully broughte
In to yo7it grace & both oure hertis eusealid
how may ye suffre alias it me repelid
(43)
What shali I do I shall whU I may endure
On live in turment & in cruel peyn
this infortune or this disauentui*
allone as I was borne y-wis compleyn
ne neuer I son it shyne or re3m
but ende I wil as edippe in derknes^e
my sorowfuH liff* & dey for distresse
274
277
280
281
284
287
288
291
294
295
298
301
182
BOGGAGCIO S FIW8TRAT0, BOOK JV.
Gil auger's TROYLUS and CRYSKYDKy BOOK IV. 182
(34)
4^0 soul wretched & astraj,
5 Why fliest thou not out of the most ill-fortuned
6 Body that liyee 9 soul brought low,
7 Part from the body, and follow Ghiyseis !
8 Why dost it not) Why not loose thyself 1
(36)
1 '' woful eyes, whose whole comfort
2 Was in the face of our Chryseis,
3 What will ye now do ) In sorrowful mourning
4 Ye will always be since she will be divided from you ;
5 And your faculty will be destroyed,
6 Vanquished and conquered by your weeping.
7 In vain will ye now see other virtue,
8 If your well-being is taken from you.
(36)
1 '* my Ghryseis ! sweet bliss
2 Of the sorrowing soul which calls on thee !
3 Who will any more give comfort to my pains 1 ^
4 * At least the departure of my Ghryseis might have been
so far delayed as to inure me a little to the sorrow of it
* '* To thff peyne " in printed in Chaucer — which seema much
less appropriate.
(44)
verry gooste ])at errest to & froo
Why nyste f ou sle out of the wofullest
body / that euer myg&te on grownde go
soule berkyng* in this wo vnnest
fle forth out of myn hert & lat it brest
And folowe alway Grisseid thi lady dere
Thy right place is now no lengei' here.
(46)
wofoH eyn two / syn your^ disports
Was all to se / Grisseydis eyn biigllte
What shcdl ye do but for my discomfort
stonde for nought wepe forth youi* sight
syn she is queynt / ^t wont was yon to lighte
In veyn frome this fort£ haue I eyfi twey
I-fowrmed / synn your vertue is awaye
(46)
my Grisseide / o lady soueraigne
Of thilke woful soule ]>at thus cryethe
who shall now yeve comforte to my peyne
Alias the wight but whan my hert dcith
my spicite which ])at so vn to you hieth
Eeceive in gree for ])at shall ay you s^rue
for now no force is thove f * bodie sterue
(47)
yc louers that high vpan the whele
})en sett of* fortune in goode aventure
god len J?at ye fynde ay love of stele
And long mote youre liff in loy endure
but whan ye com) be my sepultur.)
Eomembrith fat your* felow restith here
for I louyd eke thove I vnwoithy wer
nMf«,b«ekJ 302
305
308
309
312
315
316
319
322
323
326
329
183
Boccaccio's fiiostrato, book iv.
CHAUGEB's TBOYLUS and 0R73BYDE, BOOK IV. 183
(38)
1 " O mis-lived ^ old man, insane * old man 1
2 What fantasy moved thee, or what spite,
3 To go to the Greeks, thou being a Trojan )
4 ' Wretched traitor ! none was m^re honoured in Troy
than thou !
(39)
1 * that thou hadst died the day of thy escape ! or the
day when thou didst redemand my Chryseis!
5 " Oh how much amiss for me didst thou come into the
world I •
6 Thou art the cause of the sorrow which goes to my heart !
8 " Oh that I now had thee such as I should like in Troy I "
7 '* ' Oh that Menelaus had buried in thine heart the spear
which pierced Protesilaus ! ' "
(40)
1 * Wert thou but dead, there would be none to bereave
me of Chryseis ! '
(41)
1 A thousand sighs, more bummg than fire,
2 Issued forth from his amorous breast,
3 Mixed with tears and with sorrowful words,
4 Without giving in at all the one to the other :
5 And these lamentations had so conquered him
6 That the young man could no more, —
7 So that be fell asleep.
8 But he soon woke up again. He called to an attendant,
bidding him summon Pandarus forthwith. Then he re-
tired into the dusk of his chamber, sighing and drowsy.
(43)
1 Pandarus came ; and he had already heard
2 What the Grecian ambassadors asked for,
3 And how also the lords had come to the conclusion
4 Of giving up Ghiyseis :
5 At which all dismayed in countenance,
' ** Malyiasnto ; " may mean " who haa lived a bad life," but I
fancy its foroe rather is ** who does ill to be alive.*' « Why, the
oM wretch oughtn't to be alire at all 1" ia the idea which darts
through Troilu8*B mind.
' ''Ineano." I think it pretty clear that Boocaoeto means
'* insane ** in our ordinary sense for that word : but Chauoer^s
" unholsom " is no doubt founded on Boccaccio's epithet, and is
highly picturesque.
' Troilus seems to forget that, if Calohas had not come into the
world, neither would Chryseis have done the like.
7 He entered thd chamber, dark and quiet,
8 Nor knows how to speak a word, whether sad or cheerful.
(48)
Olde vnholsom) & mysleuyd man
Galcas I mene alias what AUid the
ben a Groke sen ^u arte bom) troian
the whic& pon wilte my bane be
In cursid tyme arte ^ou I-bome for me
As wolde blisMl loue for his loy
1 the had / whei* I wolde in Troy
(49)
A Thousande sikis hotter than the glede
Out of* his Ibrest eche a£ftir othir wente
medlid with pleynte new his woo to fede
whicB his woofoH teeris neu^ir stente
shortly so his teeris hym turment
wex so mate ]^t loy ne penaunce
felitft he noone but lietK furtfi in a traunce
(50)
PAndaie whic& )Mit at y parliamente
hadde herde what every lorde and burgeis saide
how full' grauntid was by commie assente
for Antenor to yelde oute Crisseide
gan welny woode out of his witte to braide
So pai for wo he nyste what he mente
but Dares to Troilus he faste went
(51)
A serten knyg&t that for the tyme kepte
The chambre doro / vndid it hym anone
And pandaro that futt tendirly wepte
Into his derke chambre stille as stone
Towarde the bedde gan softly for to gone
so confusid ])at he ne wist what to say
for verry wo his witt was ny awaye.
330
333
336
[k«fT»] 337
340
343
344
347
350
351
354
357
184
BOCOAOGIO'b FILOSTRATO, BOOK IT.
CHAUOER'S TBOYLUS and CRYSE7DK, BOOK IV. 184
1 Tioilus^ as soon as he saw hiniy
2 Ban to [embrace] his neck, weeping so sore
3 That a man could not well express it :
4 Which the sonowM Pandaros obeenring,
5 He began to weep, so much was he concerned at
6 And in this wise, doing nothing else
7 Than weeping sore, they remained awhile,
8 Without either speaking, much or little.
(46)
1 But, after Troilus had recovered braaih,
2 He first began to Pandarus :
2 <' I am dead !
7 " Hast thou jet heard how
8 My Chryseis is taken from us by the Oreeksl"
(46)
1 Pandarus, who not less sorely wept,
2 Replied : '* Yes ! Were it only not true !
3 Woe is me ! for I did not think
4 That this time so sweet and unchequered
5 Would so soon come to nought.
(52)
And with his chore & lokyng al tb-tome
for sorowe of this with his armes foldyn
he stoode this woful Troylus beforne
And on his pietous fSate he gan beholdyn
but lorde ^at ofile gaii) his herte coldyn
seyng his frende in wo whos hevynesse
his hert slowe / as thought he for distresse
(53)
This woful wight this Troilus pat felte
his frende Pandare I-commyn hym to see
gan as the snowe ayenst the sonne melte
for whiche this sorowfuH Pandare of* pitee
gan for to wepe as tendirliche as hee
And specheles thay ben these ilke twey
that neither myg&t for sorow a worde seye
(64)
But at the last this wofutt Troilus
nedid for smerte gan bresten out to Bore
And with a sorowfuH noise he saide thus
Among* his sobbis and his sighes score
lo Pandare I am dede witAoutyn more
Hast thou nat herde at parliament he saide
For Antenore lost is my Crisseide
(55)
This Pandarus / fuH dede & pale of hewe
full pitously Aunswerde and saide yis
As wissely wei' it fals as it is trewe
that I haue herde / and what e^ how it is
O mercy god who wolde haue trowid this
who wolde haue wende ))at in so litiS a thro we
fortune oui' loy wolde haue ouerthrowe
358
361
364
365
368
371
CktfTQbbMk] 372
375
378
379
382
385
185
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK IT.
CHAUCBR's TSOYLUS and CM78SYDS, BOOK IV. 185
(66)
FOr in this worlde tber nya no creature
As to mj dome )?at euer saw rayne
straunger )>an is thorugh cas or aventrzre
but who may att eschew or aH dyuyne
suche is the worlde for-thy I thus dyfyne
ne trust no wight to fynde in fortune
Ay prosperite for hir yififtis ben comune
386
389
392
(47)
1 ^* But thou, wherefore give thyself so much anguish 1
2 Wliy so much sorrow and such torpientf
3 What thou didst dedre, thou hast had it;
4 Thou shouldst be content with only that
5 Leave them to me, both these and other plaints —
6 Me who have always loved, and never a glance
7 Had I from her who undoes me,
(48)
1 ** And, besides this, this city is seen
2 Full of beautiful and lovely ladies.
3 ' Not one of them but would gladly console you.'
7 " Therefore, if we lose
8 Her, we shall find many others.
(57)
But telt me this whi art pOM )>U8 madde
To sorowe thus whi liest fon in pia wise
syn thy desire / all holly hast pon hadde
so pat by right It ought ynough sutfise
but I pat nexier felt in no seruise
A frendly chei' or lokyng of* an ey
let me thus wepe & waile til I dey
(68)
And ouer aH this as pan wel wost p^ silue
This town) is fiiH of ladies aH aboute
And to my dome fieiirei^ ))an suche twelue
As she euyi' was shall I fynde in som) route
Ye one or two witil-outyn any doute
for-why be glade myn own dere brother
Tf she be loste we shaU recouei^ a nother^
(69)
WHat god forbede alwey |Mit echo plesauns
In oone ^ing were and in noon) other wight
Yef oon can) sing an other can) wel dauns
Yef piB be goodly that is glad & light
And this is faii^ & that can) good a right
£che for his vertue holden is for dere
Bothe heyroner and faukon) for ryuer
393
396
399
400
403
406
\}mt 71] 407
410
413
TR0TLXJ8.
U
186
BOOCAOCIO'S FIWSTRATO, BOOK IV.
CHAUCER'S TBOYLUS AND CRY8ETDE, BOOK IV. 186
(49)
1 " And, as I erewhile often heard say,
2 The new love always chases away the old.^
5 " Then do not think of dying for Jier,'^
^ Chauoer attributeB this terse generalization to '* Zausis that
was 80 wine ; " or (as said in a note in Mr. Bell's edition) ** Zauses
or Zansis, for the name is so spelt in the printed editions." Mr.
Bell adds that *' nothing is known " of this philosopher. Boccaccio,
in tiie corresponding line, does not give any author^s name. His
words are ,. ^ ^^^ .^ ^^^ ^^ j^vente dire."
Ts it possible that a misreading of" gid »c " is the origin of *' Zausis? "
This seems to me the less unlikely, inasmuch as the accent over the
a (in *'gi& *') mighty in MS., have been misread as the mark for a «
or n. The supposed name would thus have stood " Giauso " or
" Gianso " (pronounced Jauso or Janso), and the transition from
this to Zausis or Zansis does not seem inoonceiyable. However, this
is but a desperate guess at best. It may be added that the only-
name I can find a little like Zausis, and in some other respects not
wholly ineligible, is Tsetzes, a Byzantine rhetorician of the twelfth
century, who wrote something bearing on the Trojan war. But X
know of no even plausible reason for connecting him with Chaucer's
Zausis.
(60)
1 Tioilos, hearing Pandanus, began the more strongly
2 To weep ;
(60)
ANd eke as write 3an3i8 J^at was fuH wise
The new loue oute chasithe ofte fe olde
And vpon new cause lyeth new A-vise
Thynke eke thin lyf* to sane art pon holde
Suche fire by processe mote of kynde colde
And syh) it is / but casuett plesauns
Som^ne caas shall put it oute of reme77ibrau7{s
(61)
FOr M & sure as day cometii after nyg^t
Or new loue labour* or other woo
Or ellis selde seyng* of a wight
Thanne olde affeccions all ouer goo
And for thi parte pon shalte haue oone of )>oo
For-thi wit^ thi bitter peynes smert
Absens of> hire shaH dryue it out of herte
(62)
T[h]E8e wordes seide he for the nones aH
To helpe his frende lest he for sorwe died
But doughtles te make his woo to fi^
Route he not what vnthrifte he seide
Tho Troilus ^at nye for sorwe deyed
Toke litett hede of alle that euer he ment
[On] £re hit herde at o^er oute it went
414
417
420
421
424
427
428
431
434
2 Saying afterwards :
3 '* I pray God to send me death
4 Ere I should commit such an outrage.
(63)
BVt at the last he answerd & seide frende
This lechecrafte or heled thus to be
Wci* wel sittyng yf that I wer a fende
To truste a wight fat trewe is vnto me
I pray god lete fis counsel!} neuer thee
But doo me sterue a non) right here
Or I soo werche as ])ou me woldest lere
435
438
441
187
BOCGAOOIO'b FIL08TRAT0, BOOK IV.
CHAUGBB's TB07LUS AND OMYSSYDSy BOOK IT. 187
7 " Her
8 To whom I am given, and am wholly heis.
(64)
8He psX I seruu I-wisse what so thou sey [leaf n, back] 442
To whom myn herte an habite is of right
Shall haue me hooly hirs tiH that I dey
For Pandan^ sithe I haue trougth hii' plight 445
I wiH nat be vntrewe for noo wight
But as hii^ man) I will ay lyue & sterue
And neuer other creature serue * 448
5 " However beautiful, graceful, and courtly,^
6 Other women may be, and I allow this to you,
7 None of them was ever like her.
' " Accorte." The shade of meaniDg conveyed by the Italian
word ia something between sprightly, clever, and mannerly ; a
woman comm^ il faut^ who knows how to hold her own.
(62)
1 " Which even if I wished to do, which I wish not.
2 * I could never vanquish my love. No woman is com-
parable to my Chryseis : the universe shall cease before
I love another.
(65)
ANd ther' pon seyest I sh^ as fail' fynde
As she iete be make noo comparison)
To creature I-formed hii' be kynde
ieue Pandare in conclusion)
1 wiH nat be of thine opinion)
Touching sR this for whiche I ^e beseche
Soo holde ])in pees / pou sleest me wiUi pin spech
(66)
THou counseliest me i shuide loue an othei'
Att freisshly new & let Cieseide goo
Hit lieth nat in my power dere brother
And thou3 I myght I wolde nat doo soo
But canste thou pley rakett too & froo
Netill in dokke oute now hei' now f ei-* Pandar*
Now foule falle hii^ for thi woo ^at care
(67)
THou farest eke by me ^ou Pandarus
As he pat whaii) A wight is woo be-goon)
He comel^ to him A pace & seyetfi ri^t f us
Thenke nat vn smerthe & pan shalte fele noon)
Thou muste me first graue in A stoone
And reue me my passions AH
Or Uiou so lightly doo ray woo to falle
449
452
455
456
459^
462
463
466
469
188
BOOGACCIO 8 FJLOSTRATOy BOOK IT.
OHAUOBR'S TBOYLU8 AND CRYSBYDB, BOOK lY. 188
(5*)
1 '' And death and the tomb will alone be able to sever
2 This my firm love.
4 ** These shall take my soul with them
5 Down into hell to the uttermost pangs :
6 There together shall they wail for ChryseiB.
(66)
1 ** But thou dost speak argumentatively,
2 As though reasoning that it is lees pain
3 To lose than never to have had anything.
4 It is manifest folly,
5 Pandarus, if this is in thy mind ;
6 For that [woe] which ill fortune brings to one
7 Who has been happy surpasses every woe.
(57)
1 '' But tell me, if thou art interested in my love,
2 Since it seems to thee so easy
3 To change love, as just now
4 Thou wast reasoning to me, why
5 Hast thou not changed thy course ) Why
6 Doth thy untoward love work thee so much woe 1
7 Why hast thou not followed another lady
8 Who would have put thy life in peace t
(68)
1 " If thou, who art wont to live indignant against Love,
2 Hast not been able to transfer it^ to another,
3 I, who always lived joyous with her,*
3 How shall I be able to expel it from her so
5 As thou sayest ?
5 ' Love cannot be expelled from the heart ; though chance
and change may gradually undermine it.'
' ^ It," Le. love — thy love for the lady in question. The Italian
lends itself, in a way English cannot, to making ** Love " a personage
in the first line, and a mere sentiment in the second.
(68)
VY detii may wel oute of my brest departe
The liff so longe may )yis sorwe myne
But frome my sowle shaH Cresseides darte
Oute neuer more but doune with proserpyne
Whaii) I am dede I wiH goo duelle in pyne
And thei' I wiH eternally compleyne
My woo and how fat departed be we tweine
(69)
THou hast her made an Aigumente for fyne
How that it shulde / Alias peyne be
Cresseide to for-goo for she was myne
And leued in ese and felicite
Why gabbest )>ou )yat seidest |»us to me
That him is worse ])at is &ome wel I-throwe
Than he had erste of pat wel I knowe
(70)
BVt telle me pia sithe pat the thinkest light
To chaunge in loue soo ay to & iroo
Why hast )you nat doone besilye pi mig^t
To chaunge hii' that dothe pe aH )yi woo
Whi nylte f^ou lett hii' from) thin herte goo
Whi nylte thou loue an other Lady swete
That may thin herte sett in quiete
(71)
T£f pat l^ou hast had in Loue ay yet mischauns
And canste it nat oute of {yin) herte dryue
I that leued in lust and in plesauns
Wtt^ hii' as mocfi as creature on lyue
How shulde I it for-yete & pat so blyue
O whei' hast ))ou ben hid so long in mew
That canste so wdH & formably argue
470
473
476
P^rn] 477
480
483
484
487
490
491
494
497
' '* Lei " (her) is the reading of Baroni's edition, and corre-
sponds with Chaucer*8 expression. I think, however, that '* Ini **
(him, i.e. Love), as in Moutier's edition, most he the true reading.
189
BOCCA0010 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK IV.
Chaucer's troylvs and cryssyde, book iy. 189
(60)
7 '' Oh come, Death, to me who call thee t
(61)
3 '* Death, thou wilt be aa sweet to me
4 As is life to him who spends it joyously.
5 Oh delay not ! for this fire has
6 Already so bnmed my every vein
7 That thy stroke will be a cooling to me.
(62)
7 ** Thou slayest so many against their will
8 That thou mayst well do me this pleasure."
(72)
NAy nay god wote noutil worth is al ^is rede 498
For which for whate }at euer may be-fcdl
Wtt^-oute wordes moo I wiH be dede
O dethe that yendir arte of sorowes alle 501
Come now sithe I soo ofte after ]>e calle
For sely is ]>at deth sol£ for to seyne
That ofte is cleped comyth & endetil peyne 504
(73)
WEA wote I while my lif was in quiete 505
Or thou me sloii^ I wolde A yoven hii'
But now ^i comyng is to me so swete
That in fia worlde I no )>ing so desire 508
O deth sithe with this sorwe I am on fire
Thou eyther doo me aruoon in teres drench
Or with pi colde strooke my herte hete quench 511
(74)
SYthe ^t ]>ou sleest so fele in sondry wise ciMr7s»buk] 512
A-yens hei* wiH vnpreyed day & nyght
Doo me at my request pia s^ruice
Delyuer now ])e worlde so doste }ovl right 515
Of me ]>at am ])e woofullest wyght
That euer was for tyme is |Mit I sterue
Sithe in ^lb worlde of no ^ing may I serue 518
(63)
1 Thus weeping did Troilus lament
2 Pandarus did his best to comfort Troilus, but in vain.
(75)
THus Troilus in teres ganne destille
As liquore out of lambyke full faste
And PandartM gan) holde his tunge stille
And to the grounde doune his yhen) he caste
But natheles ])us )yought he at pe laste
What parde rathei' ])an) my fellawe dey
Yet shaH I sumwhat moore to hym sey
519
522
525
190
Boccaccio's filostrato, book iv.
Chaucer's tboylus and crysetdk, book iv. 190
(64)
1 To whom Pandaraa said : *' My dear friend,
2 If my arguments please thee not,
5 Why dost thou not take, in the way thou canst, redress
6 For thy life,
6 And ravish her away ?
7 * There was Paris, who ran off with Helen from Greece.
8 '* Tet not so much hut that he hoped that even yet
Chryseis might love him."
(76)
ANd seide frende sithe ])ou haste such, distres
And sythe ])e liste myn argumente^ to blame
Whi nelt )>ou helpe to doone redresse
And with pin manhod lete Alle )yis game
To rauisshe hir ne canst pon not for shame
And ei there lete hire out of toune feure
Or holde hir^ stille and leue p\a nyse care
526
529
532
\65)
1 *' And wilt thou, in thine own Troy, not dare
2 To ravish a woman thou likest )
6 '^ Dry the sad tears from thy face ;
7 And now show thy great soul,
8 Acting so that Chryseis shall be ours."
(6^)
1 Troilus then answered Pandarus.
4 '* I have thought of what thuu sayest,
5 And have also devised many other things,
6 Although I weep, and wholly abandon myself^
7 To my grief.
^ Perhaps Chauoer'a phraae, " Why this thinge is lu/t,^* is trace-
able to Boccaccio^s " tutto m *abbandcnV*
' Boccaccio's language here is not very perspicuous, but no
doubt what his Troilus says is to the following effect : " If the com-
pact with the Greeks had been made for exchanging Chryseis for
Antenor, and if Antenor and the others had already returned to
Troy under that compact, I would gladly break faith with the
Greeks, and retain Chryseis : but, as it stands, I cannot venture to
do this, for the retaining of Chryseis would involve the non-return
of Antenor."
(67)
4 " The time does not allow of such an error ;
5 Whereas, if every one of our men had returned
6 Hither, and also Antenor,
7 I should not mind about breaking faith.^
(77)
ARte pou in Troye & hast noon hardyment 533
To take A woman) which that loucth the
And wolde hii' self be at pitiQ assent
JS'ow is pis nat A nyse vanite 536
Rise vp A-noh) and lett pi wepyng be
And kithe pou arte A man) for in pis hour^
I witt be dede but she be leue oui^ 530
(78)
TO this answerd Troilus full softe 540
And seide parde leue brothei^ deere
Alle this haue I my self ymagened yet ful ofte
And moore ping pah) pou demist hei' 543
But whi pis thing is lefte pou shalt wel hei'
And whan) pou hast me yeven) Audi ens
Thei'-Aftir maist pou tett aH thi sentens 546
(79)
First sithe pou wost pis towne hath idi pis worr' [iwr ts] 547
For rauysshyng* of women so by myght
It shulde nat be suffred me to erre
As it stanf now ne do me so grete vnright 550
I shulde haue also blame of euery wight
My fadres graunt yif pat I so withstode
Sithe she is chaunged for the townes goods 553
191
BOCCAGOIOS FlLOSTRATOf BOOK IV.
CHAUCER'S TBDYLVS AND CRYSBTDBy BOOK lY. 191
(69)
1 '' I had also thought of asking her
2 Of my father, that he should give me her of his grace :
3 Then I reflect that this would be an accusing of her,
4 And TnalriTig manifest the things committed.
5 Nor yet can I hope that he would give her.
(68)
1 " Then I fear to perturb by violent
2 Eapine her honour and her fame :
3 Nor know I well whether she would be pleased with it.
(80)
I haue eke (nought so it wei' hii^ assent
To aske hii' at my fadir of his grace
Thanne )>inke I ])is wei' hii* accusement
Sithe wdi I wote I may hii' nat purchase
For synne my fadir in so high A place
As parlement hatb hii^ eschaunge ensealed
He nett for me his Xettt^ be repeledf
(81)
Y£t drede y must hir herte to perturbe
Let violens yif* I doo suche A game
For yef I wolde openly it desturbe
Hit must be disclaundei' to hii^ name
And me wei' leu^ be dede ))an) hii' defame
As nolde god but yif I shulde haue
Hir6 honnour leuyr ])an) my lif* to saue
554
567
560
561
564
567
5 '* Wherefore the heart does not venture to adopt a decision ;
6 As on one side it wishes for this,
7 And on the other dreads to displease.
(70)
1 " Thus weeping, in amorous bewilderment
2 "Weary I remain, and know not what to do ;
3 Because the strong power of love, if indeed any still
remains,
4 I feel it fail me,
5 And the causes of torment increase.
6 Would I had died the day that I
7 First burned in this desire ! "
(82
THus am I loste for ought )>at I can) see
For certeyn is sitheu) I am hir' knyght
I must hii^ honour saue leu^r ))ah) me
In e^ery case as louer ought of* right
Thus am I wit/i desir' & reason) twi^te
Desir' for to destourbe it me redith
And reason) will nat soo myii) herte Uredil^
(83)
His weping ^at he coude neuer sese
And seide aUas how shaU I wreche fare
For weH fele I alwey my loue encrease
And hope is lasse & lasse alwey Pandare
Encreseh) eke the causes of my care
So wellawey whi nyH my herte breste
For as in Loue is y&^ but liteH reste
568
571
574
575
578
581
192
BOCOACOIO 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK IV.-
CHAUOBRS TR07LUS AND CRrSBYDE. BOOK IV.
192
(71)
1 Pandanis then said : '' Thou wilt do
2 Ajs thou choosest ; but, if I were inflamed
3 As thou sufficiently showest thyself to be,
5 I having the power that thou hast,
7 I would do my utmost to carry her off,
8 Whomever it might displease.
(72)
1 " Love looks not so subtly
2 As it appears thou dost.
(73)
3 " She will be pleased with what thou shalt do.
(72)
7 " Do choose rather to be somewhat reprehended
8 Than to die with pangs in mournful wailing.
(73)
7 '' Fortune assists
8 Whoever is daring, and she rejects the timid.
(74)
1 *^ Andy even if this thing displeased her,
2 In a short time thou shalt have peace again for it
3 Not that I believe she would be angry at it.
(84>
PAndai^ anjswerd frende ))ou maist for me DeafTMMok] 582
Do as the list but had I it so hoote
And ]>ine estate she shulde goo wit^ me
Thou3 aH the towne cryed on) pia thyng by note
I nolde nat sett at all fat noyse A grote
For whan) men haue weH cried ])aD) wul ^i roun)
Eke wonder^ laste but ix nyghte^ in A toun)
585
7 *' Let her do without [reputation], as Helen does.
(85) •
DEuyne nat in reason) ay so depe
Ne curtesly but helpe ])i self a-noon)
Bettir is fat o))er faxd )>in self* wepe
And namely sithe ye bothe tuoo ben oone
Rise vp for by my hed ye shat nat goone
And rather be in blame a liteeH stounde
Than sterue hei' as a gnatte wit^-oute wounde
(86)
Hit is no shame to you more ]>ah) vise
Hii* to let holde jwtt you loueth moste
Perauentttre she mygfet holde you f uH nyse
To lete hii^ goo thus to the Grokes hoste
Thinke eke fortune is weft Ji self* woste
Helpeth hardy man) to his emprise
And weyuetfi wreches for hir cowardise
(87)
ANd ])ou3 ])i Lady a liteH hii^ greue
Thou shalte ^ self p^ pese here-aftir make
But as for me certein I can) nat leue
That she it wolde as for euyft it take
Whi shulde ])an) thyne herte for drede quake
Thinke how Parys hath fat w ]>ine brother
A loue & whi shulde nat I haue a nother
588
589
592
595
596
599
602
603
606
609
198
BOOOACOIO'S riWSTRATO, BOOK IT.
OHAUCER*S TBOYLUS AND CRYSBYDE, BOOK IV. 193
i " So mach does the loye which thou hearost her delight
her.
(75)
1 ^' Therefore take to thee daring, be valorous ;
2 Love heeds neither promise nor faith.
3 Show thyself now a little spirited ;
4 Have mercy on thyself : —
(88)
ANd Troilus oon J)ing* I dai* Jje swei* 610
That yif* Cresseide which fat is J)e lefe
Now louet^ J)e as wett as ])ou doste hei*
God helpe me soo she nitt nat take a grefe 613
Thou3 ]k)u doo boote a-non) to ])is mischeif*
And yif she desii^ frome ]>e for to passe
Than) is she false so loue hii' well ]>e lasse 616
(89)
FOr-thy take herte & finke right as A knyght Dmtli] 617
Thurgh Loue is broken) aH day eu^ry lawe
Elith now sum-whate |)Ui corage & thi myght
And haue mercy on ])i self for any awe 620
Let nat f is wrecched woo fi hert gnawe
But manly sett ]>e worlde at vj & seuen)
And yif |)0u dey A martir goo to heueh) 623
/
5 I will be with thee in any perilous
6 Case."
(76)
1 Troilus understood very well the discourse
2 Of Pandarus, and replied : '* I am content.
4 [But, if] my torment [were] greater
5 Than it is, — to the courteous lady,
6 To satisfy myself I would not do [even] a little detriment :
7 Bather would I die.
8 Therefore I will first hear it from her."
TBOTLUS. 26
(90)
I wifi jny selfe be wit^ the at ])is dede
They she and all my kynne vppon) A stounde
Shall in A strete as dogges lye deed
Thurgh girde wtt^ many a wide & blody wounde
Li eucry case I will A frende be founde
And yif the liste hei' sterue as a wreche
And dey fe deuiH spede him ^at it reche
(91)
THis Troilus gan) wtt^ poo wordis quikkyn)
And seyde frende graunt mercy I assent
But certeinly fon maiste nat me soo priken)
Ne payne none may me so turment
That for no case it nys nat myn) entent
At shorte wordes thou^ I dey shulde
To rauissh hir but yif hir self* it wolde
624
627
630
631
634
637
194
BOCCACCIO S FILOSTRATO, BOOK IV.
Chaucer's troylus and crtssyds, book iy. 194
(77)
2 " Wash thy face, and let us return to court.
5 For, remaining here, we cause to wonder
6 Every one who knows it.
7 " And I will adopt a method
8 That this evening thou shalt speak with Chryseis."
1 *' Sciolta." This la the reading in Moutier's edition. In
Baroni'a^ it is "acoorta'* — apt, ready — which is so far the more
plausible reading that it makes the rhyme accurate.
(78)
1 Most swift Fame, who
2 Equally reports the false and the true,
3 Had flown with quickest wings
4 Through all Troy ; & with fluent ^ word
5 Had narrated
7 That Chryseis was given by the sovereign
8 To the Greeks in exchange for Antenor.
(92)
WHi so qt^odl Fandai' I mene afi ])is day 638
But ten me than) hasf ])ou hii' well assayed
That sorwist thus & he answered him nay
Wher*-of arte ])ou qwod? Pandar* fan) A-mayed 641
That knowest nat pat she nyH nat be euiH A-paied
To rauis^ hii' sithe ])at ]>ou hast nat ben thei^
But yif ])at loue tolde it the in pme ere 644
(93)
FOr-thi rise vp as nought ne wei^ A-noon) 645
And waisshe thi face & to the kyng ]>ou wende
Or he may mervaile wheder pon arte goone
Thou muste wit^ wisdom) him & other blynde 648
Or vppon case he may after the sende
Or thou be wai* & shortly brother dere
Be gladde & let me werke in pis matier 651
(94)
FOr I shfi^ shape it soo J)at sikirlye [i«rf74,bMk3 652
Thou shc^ pia nyght some tyme in some maner
Come speke vrith thi Lady previlye
And by hii* wordes eke & by hei' chei* 655
Thou shalte fuH sone A-parceyue & wel hef
Alle hii' entent & of pia case pe beste
And fare now wel for in this pointe now I reste 658
(96)
THe swifte fame which pat false thinge^ 659
EgaH reportith lyke the fingc« trewe
Was J)urghout Troye I-fledde vriih prest wyngea
From man to man & made pes tidinge^ new 662
How Calcas doughter with hei^ bright hewe
At Parlement witA-oute wordes more
I-graunted was in chaunge of Anthenore 665
196
Boccaccio's ftlostjuto, book iv.
chadcbb's tsoylus asd chtsbydk, book it. 19o
(79)
1 Which news when Chryseis heard it,
2 Who already cared no more
3 For her father,
7 For fear lest that which she heard tell
8 Were true, she durst not enquire.
5 As one who had turned her desire
6 To Troilus, whom she loved more than any other.
' " Pietosa allegrezza.** I tranfllate with Chauoer's own (the
most literal) equivalenta. The phrase Bums up a world of lacka-
daisical condolences and shallow congratulations. AH this passage
about the visiting ladies looks especially Chaucerian in the Troyltu ;
one is surprised to find how entirely he is indebted to Boccaccio
for it.
(80)
1 But, as we see that it happens
2 That one woman goes to another to visit her,
4 Thus many of them came to spend
5 The day with Chryseis, all full
6 Of piteous joy.^
' Chaucer appears to get his expression " on every side " from
Boocaocio*s " d'ogni parti to," at the close of 1. 8. The context,
however, is not the same ; and I do not find the meaning of the
expression wholly dear in either instance.
(81)
1 One said : ** Certainly I am greatly pleased
2 That thou art returning to thy father, & to he with him."
3 The other said : '* And, for me, I am displeased
4 To see her depart hence from us.''
5 The other said : " She will be able to plan our peace,
8 On every side."^
(96)
THe whiche tale aruoon right as Cresseide 666
Had herd she which pat of hir fadir rought
As in ])is case right nou^t ne whau) he deyed
Fufl besily to lubiter be-so wte 669
Yef hem mischauns fat ])is tretyes brought
But shortly leste these tales sothe were
She duiste of no wight aske hem for fere 672
(97)
As she fat hadde hii^ herte & alle hii' mynde 673
On Troilus I-sett so menieilously fast
That AH J>is worlde ne myght hii* loue vnbynde
Ke Troilus oute of hir^ herte caste 676
She will be his while fat hir* lyf* may last
And thus she brenneth bof e in loue & drede
So that she nyste what was best to rede 679
(98)
BVt as men see In towne & alle aboute 680
That women vsen frende« to visite
So to Cresseide of women come A route
For pitous loy and wenden) hir to delite 683
And wtt^ hii* tales dere ynough A myte
Thes women which fat in the Cite dnelle
They sett hem doun) & seide as I shaH telle 686
(99)
SEyde furste the toone I am gladde truely n« f n] 687
Be cause of you fat shaH youi' fadir see
A nother seide I-wisse soo nam uat I
For att to liteH hath she wet/t vs bee 690
Quod the thiidde I-wisse I hope fr/t shee
Shall bringe vs f e pese on eu^ry side
That whafi she gothe all myghty god hii^ guide 693
196
BOCOAOCIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK IV.
OHAUOBR's TEOYLUS and CBTSBYDBy BOOK IV. 196
(82)
1 This and much other feminine talk
2 She heard, as if she were not there.
4 And the beautiful face could not conceal
6 The lofty gentle thoughts she had of love.
7 The body was there, and the soul was elsewhere,
8 Seeking Troilus without knowing where.
(83)
1 And these women, who fancied they were giving her
2 Comfort by staying, supremely
3 Displeased her by talking to her, —
4 As one who felt in her mind
5 A quite other passion than those saw
6 Who were there ; and very often
7 She took leave of them in a ladylike way,
8 Such a desire had she to remain without them.
(84)
1 She could not restrain some sighs ;
2 And at whiles some tear,
3 Falling, gave sign of the martyrdom
4 In which her soul was constrained.
5 But those simpletons who formed a circle roimd her
6 Thought that the damsel did this through sorrow
7 That she had to abandon them,
8 Who were wont to be her companions.
(100)
THe wordes and pe womannyssfi ])inge8
She herde hem right as thou} she thense wei^
For god it wote hii^ herte on o])er )>inge« is
aH J)ou3 the body sate amohge hem J)ei*
Hii* aduertens is Alwey ellis whei*
For Troilus fuH faste hii^e soule soug&t
Wit^-outen worde on hym alwey she thought
(101)
THes women ])at ])us wende hii' to please
A'boute nou3t ganne aH hii' tales spende
Suche vanite ne canne dbon hu' noon ease
As she |)at alle ])is meaue while brende
Of other passioun) J>ari) )>ei wende
So that she felte al mooste hii' hei'te dye
For woo / & wery of theii* companie
(102)
FOr which myght she no lenger lestreyne
Hii' teris fei gan) so vp to weH
That gaff* signes of hir^ bitter peyne
In which hi]^ spirite was and must* daeH
Eemembring hir frome heueii) vnto which h^
She fallen was sythe she forgeten the sight
Of Troilus & sorwef uU she sighte
(103)
ANd thilke foles sittyng hii* A-boute
Wende fat she wepte & syhed soore
By cause ])at she shulde oute of ))e route
Departe & neuer pley Yriih hem moore
And fey fat hadde knoweu) hir* of yooi*
Say hei^ wepe & foujte hit kyndeneB
And eche of hem wepte for hir distres
694
697
700
701
704
707
70S
711
714
71*
718
721
197
Boccaccio's filostrato, book iy.
0HAUCBR*8 TROTLUS AND CRYSE7DE, BOOK IV. 197
(85)
1 And each tried to comfort her
2 Still about what grieved her not :
3 Many words they spoke to console her.
5 And it was nought else than scratching her
6 On the heels when her head itched.
(86)
1 But, after much cackling in vain,
2 As most women do, they took leave,
3 And went away : and she forthwith,
4 Vanquished and impelled by bitter grief,
5 Into her chamber, weeping low,
6 Entered.
(87)
1 The woful one had on her bed
2 Thrown herself at full length.
7 And, plucking her blonde hair, she tore it.
8 And ever she implored death a thousand times.
(86)
8 She made such a weeping that the like was never made.
(88)
1 She said : '* Alas ill-fortuned 1
2 Me miserable, woful ! whither am I going ?
3 wretched I, who was born in bad conjuncture,
4 Where do I leave thee, sweet my love ?
6 Oh that I had not, my sweet desire,
7 Seen thee ever ! since such dire fortune
8 Xow robs both me from thee, and thee from me.**
(104)
ANd besilye ])ei gonnen hii' conforte cieafrs^bockj 722
Of* thing god wote on whiche she liteH ])0U3te
And Yrith here tales wende hii* disporte
And to be gladde ]>ei ofte hire besou3te 725
But such an ese ^QT-with. ))ei hire wrought
Eight as A man) is eased for to fele
For Ache of hed to clawe him on the hele 728
(105)
But After att |>i3 nyse vanite 729
They toke hei' leve And home ]>ei went aH
Cresseide full of sorwefuH pyte
Into the chambre went out of* fe halle 732
And vn hii* bedde she ganne for woo to fafl
In purpos thens neuer for to ryse
And ])us she wrought as I shaH you deuise 735
(106)
Hire ougne hei' ])at sonnyssh was of hew 736
She rente & eke fyngers longe and smale
She wronge futt ofte & praide god on hii* rewe
And wtt^ J)e deth to doo boote on hii* bale 739
Hii' hew whilome bright fat ])oo was pale
Bai* witnesse of hii' woo and hii' cowstreynte
And thus she spake sobbyng in hei' compleinte 742
(107)
Alias quo& she oute of this regiouii) 743
I woofutt wrech and infortunat wight
And borne in cursed constellacion)
Mot goo & departe ])us fro my knyght 746
Woo wurth alias fat ylke daye lyght
On which I saugh hyni first with yen) tweyn)
That causeth me & I hym aH J)is peyne 749
198
BOCOAGCIO'S FILOSTRATOy BOOK IV.
ORAUOSB's TBOTLUS and CBTSSYDEf BOOK lY. 198
(87)
3 Her white breast
4 She often beat, calling Death
5 To slay her, since she had to leave her beloved
6 Through hard fate.
(108)
ANd therwM ]>e teres from hii^ yhen) twoo
Downe felle as shoui' in ApriU swythe
Hii' white brest she bete And for the woo
Aftir' the deth she cryed A thousande sithe
Sythe he J>at wonte hii^ woo was for to lythe
She motte for-goo for whi(& disaventwre
She held hir selfe A soore Lomd creatur
750
753
766
(89)
3 " What shall I do, parted, Troilus, from thee 1
(92)
3 " But thou who lovest me so much, what wilt thou do %
4 Oh wilt thou be able to endure such woe 1
(93)
1 " Oh my father, iniquitous and disloyal I
(88)
5 " Oh that I now had been stifled at my birth !
(89)
1 " What shall I do, so doleful my life 1
(90)
7 " Ah me ! how shall I endure,
8 Troilus, to see myself parted from thee ?
(89)
4 " Certainly, I think I shall never eat or drink ;
5 And, if of itself the bewildered soul goes not
6 From out the body, I will do my utmost
7 To expel it by famir.e.
(109)
SHe seide how shaH he doo & I also Om^ no
How shulde I lyue yif that I frome him twynne
dere herte eke that I loue soo
Who sh^ J>at sorwe fle fat ye ben Inne
O Calcas fadir thyne be alle |)is synne
modir myii) that cleped were argyue
Woo worthe that day ])at ])ou me bare on lyue
(110)
TO what fyne shulde I lyue & sorwe yoB
How shulde a fyssh wttAoute watir dui*
What is Cresseide worth frome Troilus
How shulde A plaunte or a lyues creatuie
Lyue wtt^oute his kynde noretui*
For which ful ofte A byeword hei^ I sey
That Roteles mote grene sone deye
(111)
1 shatt doo )>us syn) nei]>er swerde ne darte
Dai' I noon handiH for )>e craelte
That ylke day I mote from you departe
Yef sorwe of* ])at nyH nat my bane be
Than) shal no mete & drynke come in me
TiH I my sowle oute of my breste vnshethe
And ])U8 my silfe wiH I doo to ])e dethe
757
760
763
764
767
770
771
774
777
199
BOOOAOOIO'S FIL03TBAT0, BOOK lY.
OH auger's TSOYLUS and CRTSEYDE, book IV. 199
(90)
S ** Heart of my body ! my black clothing
4 Shall be a true witness to my sorro^vs.
(91)
1 ^ How can I live without soul %
2 That will remain here for certain,
8 With our love, and to lament with thee.**
(96)
1 Who could ever narrate at full
2 What Chryaeis said in her weeping ?
3 Certainly not I, for the word falls short of the fact,
4 So eruel and dire was her distress.
(112)
ANd Troilus my clothes euerychon)
Shan blake be in tokennyng herte swete
That I am oute as of this worlde gone
That wonte was you to sette in quiets
And of my ordre ay tiH pQ dethe me mete
The obseTniaz^ns euei* in youre Absens
ShsdS sorwe be compleint & Abstinens
(113)
Myn herte & eke ])e woofuH goste ^er in
BoKjuethe I wit^ youi* spirite to compleine
Eternally for they shaH neuer twynne
For fough in erthe I-twynned be yrith we twein)
Yet in the felde of* pite out of peyne
That hight Elesus shait we be in f ei^
Or Orpheus wit^ erudice his fei*
(115)
HOw might it euer yredde be or ysonge
The compleinte J^at she made in hire distres
I nott but as for me my liteH tunge
Yef I discrevyn) wolde hii' heuynesse
It shulde make hii' sorwe seme lesse
Than) pat hit was and childisshly deface
Hif compleinte & ])ere-for I hit pace
778
781
784
785
788
791
(114)
THus herte myn for Anthenore Alias [iMf7«i,bMk] 792
I sone shalbe chaunge^ as I wene
But how sh£^ we doo in pia sorwefufi cas
How shall youx' tendi' herte )>us sustene
But herte myn for-yete fis sorwe and tene
And me Also for certeinly to sey
So ye welfare I reche not to dey
795
798
799
802
805
200
Boccaccio's filostrato, book iv.
ghaucbb's tboylus and cryseydb. book iv. 200
(95)
6 PandaruB came,
7 And went into the chamber,
8 There where she was making her piteous plaint.
(96)
1 He saw her on the bed, swathed
2 In sobs, in weeping, and in sighs ;
3 And saw all her breast and her face bathed
4 In tears, and her eyes in passions
5 Of weeping, and dishevelled,
6 Giving true sign of her poignant pangs.
(116)
PAndare whiche that sent from Troylns
Was to Cresseide as ye haue herd deuise
That fore the best it was accorded thus
And he futi gladde to doo hym that seruice
Vn-to Cresseide In a tuB. secrete wise
There as she lay in turment And in Eage
Come to hii' to telle alle hooly his message
(117)
ANd fonde that she hii' self* gan) to trete
Fufl pitously for wit^ hii^ salte teres
Hii^ brest hii* face I-bathed was fuH wete
The mighty tresses of hii' sonnyssh heres
Vnbroyden hange a-boute hii* eres
Which yaue him verry signe ati of martii'
Of dethe ]>e which hii' herte ganne desir'
806
809
812
81S
816
819
7 Who, when she saw him, between her arms
8 For shame concealed her face.
(118)
WHan) she him saugh she gan) for sorwe a-noon
Hir' tery face atwixe hii' handes hide
For which J)is Pandai* is so woo bego&e
That in ])e house he might vnnethis abide
As he that pite f elte on euery side
For yif Cresseide hadde erste coTTipleyned sooi'
Tho ganne she pleyne a thousand tyme3 moi'
820
823
826
(119)
ANd in hii' aspre compleint fun she seid
Fandai' first of loyes moore ^an) tuoo
Was cause causing vn to me Cresseide
That now transsmue» ben & crueit woo
Wheider shal I sey welcome or noo
That Aldirfirst brou3t vn-to seruice
Of loue alias fat endeth in such wise
£tarf771
827
830
833
^1
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATOf BOOK lY.
OHAUCBB'S TROYLUS and CRYSSTDSf BOOK IV. 201
(98)
1 ** But then, my disconsolate sister,
2 What art thoa minded to dof
3 •* Why nndo thy beautiful person %
5 Bise up, and turn round, and speak ;
7 And hear what I say,
8 Being sent to thee by thy sweet friend. **
(99)
1 Then Chr3r8ei8 turned, making
2 A weeping such as could not be spoken ;
3 And she looked at Pandarus, saying :
4 ** Woe is me I what would my soul say,
5 Whom I must abandon, weeping )
7 Would he have sighs or tears, or what does he ask fort
8 I have enough of them, if he sends for these."
TROTLU& 26
(120)
Bl^dithe ^onne loue in woo ye or men lieth
And all wordly blisse as thinketh me
The ende of blisse ay sorwe it occupieth
And who so troweth mat fat it so be
Lete him vpon me woofuH wrecche see
That my self e hate & ay my birth I cwrse
Felyng alwey frome wikked y goo to wurse
(121)
WHo so me seeth he seyth sorw al at ones
Peyne turment pleynte woo distresse
Oute of my woof ul body harm) J>er non ys
As Anguissh langoi' crueH bittimesse
Anoy smerte drede furye & eke sLkenesse
I trowe Iwys frome heuen terys reyne
For pite of myn Aspre cruefi peyne
(122)
ANd ye my Sustei' fuH of discomforte
Quod Pandarus what thinke ye to doo
Why ne haue ye to youre silf somme desporte
Why witt ye fus youi* self* alias for-doo
Leueth aH ]>is werke And taketh soo
That I shali sey & herkyii) witA good entent
The whiche by me yoMr Ti'oilus you sent
(123)
Turned hir ))o Cresseide A woo makyng
So grete ]7at it* A deth was for to see
Alias quod she what wordes may ye bringe
What wiH my dere herte sey to me
Which that I drede neuer more to see
Wil haue pleint & teres or pat I wende
I have ynow yef he there-aftir sonde
834
837
840
841
844
• 847
848
851
854
855
858
861
202
BOCCACCIO S FIL03TRAT0, BOOK IV.
Chaucer's tsoylus and c&ysstde^ book iv. 202
(100)
1 3he was such to look at in the visage
2 As is she who is carried to the grave ;
3 An 1 her face, made in paradise,
4 All all was seen transfigured.
5 Her loveliness and the delightful smile,
6 Fleeing, had abandoned her.
7 And round her eyes a purple ring
8 Gave true signal of her martyrdom.
(101)
1 Which Pandarus seeing,
3 He could not restrain his sorrowful tears.
8 Pandarus first moderated his weeping,
(102)
1 And said : ** Lady, I suppose thou hast heard —
2 But indeed I am sure of it — ^how thou art demanded
3 By thy father; and the resolve is already taken
4 By the king to restore thee.
6 And how distressful^ a thing this is
7 To Troilus could not be fully said —
8 Who 13 wholly bent on dying in his grief.
(103)
1 " And we have cried so much to-day, he and I,
2 That I marvel whence it [all] came.
3 Now at last, by my counsel,
4 He has somewhat abated his weeping,
5 And it seems he has a wish to be with thee.
' " Molesta " — as in Chaucer^s line.
(124)
SHe was ri3t such to se in hii' visage Deftf 77,i»ck] 862
As is ]7at wight ]>at men on here bynde
Hii* face lyke of Paradise ])e ymage
Was att chaunged in An other kynde 865
The pley fe laughter men was wonte to fynde
In hir and eke hii* loyes eueTychon)
Ben fledde and ]>us lieth Cresseide A-lone 868
(125)
Aboute hir' eyen tuoo a purpur' ryng 869
Betrent in sothfaste tokenyng* of hii^ peyne
That to beholde it was A dedly thing
For which Pandai^ myght not restreyne 872
The teres from hir yen for to reyne
But natheles as he best myght he seide
From Troilus thes wordes to Cresseide 875
(126)
LO nece I trowe ye haue her<J 8^1 how . 876
The king w/tA odir Lordes for the beste
Hath made ])e chaunge of Anthenore & you
That cause is of ]>is sorwe <& his vnreste 879
But how J)is case dothe Troilus moleste
That may none erthely mannes tunge sey
As shortly he fat shape th him to deye 882
(127)
rOr which we haue so sorwed he & I 88S
That in-to liteH bothe it hathe vs slawe
But purgh my counseiH fis diy finally
He suwwhat is frome weping* now wtV^drawe 886
And semeth me fat he desireth fa wo
Wtt?i you all night for to deuise
Reniedye in this yef ther* wei* in any wise 889
303
Boccaccio's filostrato, book iv.
Chaucer's troylus and crysetdb, book iv. 203
S ^ Wherefore I^ as he desired,
7 Am come to tell it thee."
(128)
Thus shorte Ss pleine |)e effecte of my message
As ferforth as my witte can it comprehende
For ye ]>at bene of* tnrment in suche rage
May to longe prolongs as now entend
And herevppon) ye may answer' hirTt sende
And for the lone of< god my nece dere
So leue )>is woo or Troilus be Here
890
893
896
'(104)
1 *' Oreat is," said Chryseis, " my grief,
2 As of one who loves him more than herself :
S But his is to me fjEir greater,
4 I hearing that on my accoimt he longs for death.
(105)
1 ^' Heavy is to me my departure, God sees it ;
2 But more so is it to me to see Troilus afflicted,-
3 And [this is] most insupportable, on my faith,
4 So that I shall die of it without reprieve.
7 Tell him to come when he likes."
(106)
1 And, saying this, she fell back supine,
2 Then recommenced her weeping on her arms.
3 To whom Pandarus said : '' Ah me ! poor thing,
4 Now what wilt thou do 1 wilt thou not take some
5 Comfort, reflecting that near
6 Is now already the hour when he whom thou so much
lovest
7 Will be in thine arms 1 Else up, readjust
8 Thyself, that he may not find thee so squalid.
(129)
OBete is my woo quod she & sight score Dmiw] 897
As she ])at felith dedly sharpe distresse
But yet to me his sorwe ys moche moore
That loue him bett^ ]>ah) he him self* as I gesse 900
Alias for me hath he such heuynesse
Kaune he so pitously compleyne
I-wis f is sorwe doubleth aH: my peyne 903
(130)
OEeuous god wote to me is to twynne 904
Quod she but yet hardei' is to me
To se the sorwe whiche p&t he is Inne
For wel I wote It wil my bane be 907
And dey I wiH certeyn) quod she
But bidde him come or deth ])at |)us me treth
Dryue out ^af gost which in my hert he beteth 910
(131)
THese wordes saide she on hir Armes tuo 911
FeH: grof & gan) to wepe pitously
Quod PandartM alias why doo ye soo
Sithen wel ye wot the tyme is fast by 914
That he shal com) Arise vp hastily
That he you not bewepyn ])U8 you finde
But ye wilt haue him wood out of his mynde 917
204
BOGOACOIO'S FILOSTRATOy BOOK lY.
CHAUOER's TB07LU8 AND CBTSKYDS, BOOK IV. 304
(107)
1 '^ If he knew that thou art doing thus,
2 He would kill himseK, nor could any one
3 Restrain him ; and, if I supposed
4 That thou wouldst remain thus, he should not put here
5 His foot, believe me.
6 For I know that trouble would hence ensue to him.
7 Therefore rise up, re-make thyself such
(106)
8 " That thou mayst alleviate and not increase his sorrow."
(132)
FOr wiste he that ye ferde in this man^r
He wolde him self slee & yif I weude
To haue this fare he shulde nat com) hei'
For aH the good ]>at Priam may spende
For to what fine he wolde a-noon pr^tende
That knowe I well & for-thi yet I sey
So leue pis sorwe for platly he wiH dey
(133)
ANd shapetfi now his sorwe for to Abregge
And nat encrease Lefe nece swete
BetJi rathir to him cause of flatte ]>ai)) egge
And wit^ sum wisdhum ye his sorwis bete
What helpeth it to wepe full A strete
Or J)ou:j ye both wiih salt teres dreynt
Bettir is a tyme of care Ay )>ah) of pleynt
918
921
924
925
928
931
(108)
1 " Go," said Chryseis ; " I promise thee,
2 My Pandarus, I will make the effort
fi '' I will keep all locked up in my heart"
(134)
I Mene |)is that whan) I him hider bringe D««f w.i»cii3 932
Sith >e bene wise and bothe of oone assent
So shapeth you hou to desturbe your goyng
Or come A-gein sone Aftir pat ye ben went 935
Wommen ben wise in shorte auisement
And lett se now how youi' witt shall Availe
And pat I may helpe it shali nat faile 938
(136)
GOthe quod Cresseide & vnde truely
I shal doo alle my myg^t me to restreyne
From wepinge in his sight & besily
Him to comforte I shffi doo aE my peyti)
And in myn herte seke enerj veyne
Yef to his soore thei^ may be founden saluo
Hit shall nat faile certeyne vn my behaluo
939
942
945
205
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO^ BOOK IV.
CHAUCEB's TSOYLUS and CRYSEYDEy BOOK IV. 205
(109)
1 Pandarufl found TroUus biooding.
/:
/ »
/
(136)
OOthe Pandan^ & Troilus he sought
TiH in A Temple be fonde him A-lone
As he that of his liff no more rought
But to the pytous goddes eueTychon)
Fufi tendirly he preyed & mad his mone
To doone hym sone out of J^is worlde to pace
For w^ he ]K)U3te ^ere nas noon oper grace
(137)
ANd shortly alle the sothe for to sey
He was so fallen in despeire J^at day
That Tttirly he shope him for to dey
For ri^t pis was his Argument alwey
He seid he nas but lorn) welawey
For ati pat comth comtJi by necessite
Thus to ben Lorn) it is my destine
(138)
FOr certeinly this wote I wel he seide
That for sight of deuyne pwruyauns
HatK seyn) alwey me for to f orgon) Cresseide
Sith god seth enerj ^ing oute of doughtauns
And him disposeth )>urgh his ordinatms
In hir merited sothly for to be
As thei shul comen by predestene
(139)
But* natheles Alias whom shal I leuo Omtn]
For ther ben grete clerkes many one
That destyne ))urgh argument?^ preue
And som) men) seyn) ^at nedly per nys noon)
But that fifee choys is yeue vs eue/ychon)
O welawey so slye were clerkes olde
That I not whiche opinion) J may holde
946
949
952
953
956
959
960
963
966
967
970
973
206
Boccaccio's filostrato, book iy.
Chaucer's tboylus and csrsETDMy book iv. 206
(140)
FOr som) metd seyu) yef* god seUi Albeforti)
Ne god may nat deceyned ben parde
Thftii) mot it fallen ])0U3 men liad it sworfi
That pMruyauns hattL seyn) be-forh) to be
Wherfore I sey fat from) eteme yef he
Hath wist beforn) cure foxight eke as your dede
We ban) no fre choys [as] |)is derkes rede
(141)
FOr o])er ]>ought nor other dede Also
]\right neuer ben but such as puruyatcnoe
Whiche may not ben deceyned neuer moo
Hath feKd byf om) w^'t/^-outen ignoraunce
For yif ther might ben A variaunce
To writeh) cute fro goddes puruynge
Ther wer' no prescient of ])ing connyng
(142)
But it wer rather an opinioii)
Vncertein & no stedfast forseyng
And certe^ |)at were an abusioh)
That god shulde haue no perfit dere weting
More ftird we meii) pat hafi dontous wenyng
But such an errot«r ypon) god to gesse
Were false & fonle & wikked cursednesse
974:
977
980
981
984
987
983
991
994
(143)
£Ke this is an opyinioii) of som)
That ban) hei' toppe ful high & smoth yshooi'
They seyh) ri3t ])is ]>at ])ing is nat to come
For fat fe py-cscient hath seyri) byfore
That it shal come but foi seyn \at ferfore
That it shal come f erfore fe puruyaunce
Wote it byfom) wM-oute ignoraunce
995
998
1001
207
BOCOAOOIO'S FJLOSTRATOf BOOK IV.
OHAUOEB'S TS07LUS AND CBrSBTDB, BOOK lY. 207
(144)
ANd in this man^ this necessite [leaf 70, back] 1002
EetometK in his part contrarie ageyne
For nedfuUy behouetH it not to be
That thilke ];inged fallen in certein 1005
That ben puniyed but nedfully as ])ei sein
Behoueth it ^at fmges whicH ^at faH
That ]>ei in certein ben puiuyed aH 1008
(145)
I mene as ^ougtL I labored me in pis 1009
To enqueryn whicti ^inge cause of which J^ing be
As whethir ^at ))e prescient of* god is
The certein cause of* necessite 1012
Of< pinges ))at to comen ben parde
Or yef necessite of J'inge comynge
Be cause certein of the puruyenge 1015
(146)
But nowe ne enforce I mene not in shewing
How the ordre of causes stant but wel wote I
That it behouetfi pat the befallyng
Of fiages wist* before certeinly
By necessarye alle seme it not ther by
That prescient put fallyngo necessarye
To ]>inge to come alle falle it foule or faire
(147)
FOr yef* there sit A man) yondl on a se
Thaii) by necessite behouel^ it
That certetf ])in opiniou) soth be
That wenist or comittist pat he sit
And further ouer now a-yenward yet
Lo ri^t so is it of the part contrarie
As pus nowe herkenyth for I will nat tarie
1016
1019
1022
1023
1026
1029
208
BOG0ACCIO*S FILOSTRATO BOOK IV.
CHAUOER's TB07LUS AND CBTSSYDBf BOOK IT. 208
(148)
I sey pat yif* the opinioii) of the
Be soth for pat he sit ])ah) sey I piB
That he mot sitten) by necessite
& ])]s necessite in eythir is
For in him nede of sittyng is Twis
And in pe nede of soth & pia for sotfi
Ther mot necessite ben) in you bothe
(149)
But ))ou maist seyh) pe man) sit not perhie
That ])in) opinion) of ])is sitting soth is
But rather for the man) sit J^ei' before
Therfore is pin opinion) sot& I-wia
And I sey ])oug£i pe cause of sot& of piB
Coml£ of his sittynge yet necessite
Is enterchaunged both in him & in the
(150)
THus in the same wise out of doutaunce
I may wel maken as it semyth me
My resonynge of goddes puruyaunce
And of the pinges ])at to comen be
By whicha reson) men may weti: I-see
That pilke pinges )»it in ertha falle
That by necessite ])ei comen alle
(151)
FOr aH ))ough pai for )unge shat com) Iwis
Therfore is it purueycJ certeinly
Nat pat it comth for it pMrueyed is
Yet nathelesse byhoue^ it nedefully
That thynge to come be purueyd trewly
Or ellis pinges pat pt^rueid be
That pel betyden by necessite
1030
1033
1036
DmXW} 1037
1040
1043
1044
1047
1050
1051
1054
1057
i
209
BOOOAOGIO'S FILOSTJUTOf BOOK IV.
CHAUCBR'S TBOYLUS and CRYSBTDBf BOOK IV. 209
(152)
ANd ])is suffisetti 1131 Inoug^ certeyn)
For to destroye oure fre choya euarydeft
But nowe is ))is abosioxi) to seyn)
That f allynge of the thynges temporaU
Is cause of goddes prescienf etemafi
Now truely that is a false sentence
That J^inge to come shulde cause his prescienf
(153)
What myght I wene & I had sucli a ^ou^f
But pat god purueyth ])inge pat is to come
Foi that it is to me & elles nogbt
So myght I wene p&t pinges al & som)
That whilom ben by false & ouercom)
Be cause of pilke souereyn purveyaunce
That foiewitt al wttA-out ignoraunce
1058
1061
1064
1065
1068
1071
(154)
ANd ouer al ^is right yet seye I more herto DMf m, baok] 1072
That rijt as whan) I wot |>eT is A ping
Is wisse pat thing mote nedefuUy be soo
Eke Ti)t so whan) I wote a ))inge comyng 1075
So mote it come & this pe befallyng
Off thingecr poi ben wist before the tide
They mowe nat ben eschewed on noo side 1078
TBOTLU&
27
(155)
THan) seide he ^is Almyghty loue in trone
That woste of alle ])inge the sothefastnesse
Eewe on my sorwe & doo me dye or aorOe
Or bringe Cresseide and me fro |>is detresse
And while he was in alle pia heuynesse
Desputynge wtt^ him selfe in this matei'
Come Pandare & seide as ye may here
1079
1082
1085
210
BOOOACOIO 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK IV.
CHAUGER8 TROYLUS AND CRYSEYDB. BOOK lY.
210
4 And said to him : '' Nos¥ art thou so dejected
5 As thou showesty courageous youth ?
6 Thy hliss is not yet parted from thee.
7 Why as yet dost thou so much distress thyself
8 That the eyes in thy head seem already dead )
(110)
1 '' Thou hadst lived long enough without her.
3 '' Wast thou bom into the world merely for her 1
(156)
myghty god quod Pandar^^« in trone
Ey who sey euer a wise man) fare soo
Why Troilus what ])inkest J)ou to done
Haste ))ou suche lust to be ^ine ougne foo
What parde yet nys nat Cresseide Agoo
Why liste J)e soo ^ine self* for-doo for drede
That in |>ine hed pine yhefi seme dede
(167)
HAste ])ou natt leued many A yeei' byfoni)
Wit^-outen hii' & ben fult wel at ease
Arte |>ou for hii^ & for noon) oj^er borne
Hath nature ])e wrou3t al onely hii^ to plese
Let be & ])inke rijt J)us in ^ine disease
That vn the dyce ri)t as fallen chauns
Right so in loue fe^ comeh) & gone plesauns
(158)
ANd yet of pis I merueyle most of alle
Whi ]^ou ])us sorwest sith pou knowest nat yet
Touching hir goyng hou fat it shall f aUe
Nq yif she can) hir self disturbys) it
Thou hast nat yet assayed of hir wit
A man may atie be tyme his nekke bede
Whau) it shall of & sorwyn at ])e nede
1086
1089
1092
1093
1096
1099
1100
1103
1106
8 '' I spoke to her, and was with her a long while.
(Ill)
Pandarus tells Troilus that Chryseis is still more afflicted
than he: this evidence of her love may at least be
some consolation.
(159)
FOr-thi take hed of ))at I shaH pe sey
I haue wit/^ hir spoken and long I-be
So as accorded was bytweh) vs twey
And euyrmore me ])inketh pat she
Hat£i sumwhate in hii' hert69 priuete
Wlierwit^ she canne yif I shal ari3t rede
Desturbe all piB of which pon art in drede
[leaf 81]
1107
1110
1113
211
BOCOAOGIO S FILOSTRATO, BOOK IV.
CHAUOER's TROYLUS and CRYSEYDBf BOOK IV. 211
(112)
1 '' I have just arranged with her
2 That thou shalt go to her, and this evening
3 Be with her."
4 Troilus should explain his plans to her, and see how she
takes them
7 " Perhaps you will find out methods which
8 Will be great alleviations to your woes."
(113)
1 To whom Troilus replied sighing :
2 " Thou speak'st well, and thus will I do."
3 And many other things he said. But, when
4 It seemed to him time to be going,
6 He went ofifl
6 Chryseis comes to him in the wonted manner, bearing a
torch.
(114)
3 She came to hinii and in her arms
4 Beceived him, and he her, seized
5 With heavy grief ; and dumb they both
6 Could not conceal their wounded heart.
8 They began a great and staunchless weeping.
(115)
1 Their sobs forbade utterance.
7 They drank the falling tears, without heeding
8 That they were bitter beyond their nature.
(160)
FOr which my counseH is whan) it is night
Thou to hii' goo and make of ^is an ende
And blisfuH loue ])urgh ))ine grete myghi
Shal as I hope hii' grace to vs sende
Myn herte seyth certeyne she shaH nat wende
And f or-])i put ])ine herte awhile in rest
And holde ])i pi^rpose for it is the best
(161)
TELis Troilus answerd & sighed soore
Thou seyst rijt wel & I will doo ri^t soo
And what him Hste he seide to him moore
But whan pat it was tyme for to goo
FuH preuely him self* wttA-outene moo
Yn-to hii^ come as he was wonte to done
And hou ^ei wrou^t I shaH telle you sone
(162)
80 is ])at* whanne J)ei ganne first to mete
So ganne pe peine hei' hertd9 for to twiste
And nei^er of hem o])er might grete
But hem in Armes toke & oyer kiste
The lasse woofuH of hem bo])e I nyste
Whei* fat he was ne mi3t A worde oute bringe
As I seide erste for woo & for sobbyng
(163)
THe woofutt teres pat pel letyii) fatt
As bitter wei' oute of teres kynde
For peyne as is ligne Aloes or gatt
So bittir tere^ wepitfi nat as I fin ie
The wof uH Mirra J)urgh pe barke & rynde
That in pia worlde ])er nys so harde an herte
That nolde haue rewed on heii^ peyne smerte
1114
1117
1120
1121
1124
1127
1128
1131
1134
1135
1138
1141
212
BOGGACOIO'S riLOSTBATO, BOOK IV.
CHAUCBB's TBOYLUS and CBYSBYDBy BOOK lY. 212
(116)
1 But» when the outwearied spirits
3 Had Tetomed into their places
4 By the slacking of the doloroas pangs,
5 Chryseis
7 Said with broken voice.
8 " ' Oh my lord I who takes me from thee, and whither am
I going?'"
(117)
1 Then she fell back with her face on his breast ;
4 And the soul songht ont means ^ to fly.
^ ** Ingegnoflsi " =: wrought ingenioiiBly, made efforts of in-
genuity, tried hard.
(164)
But whan) heir' wery woof oH goste« tweyne cieaf8i,bMk] 1142
Eetomed ben ])ere as them ought duelle
And ]^at sumwhat to makyh) ganne pe peyne
By length of pleynte & ebbe gan) J)e welle 1145
Of* i^Tfis & fe herte vnswefl
With broken) voyse aA hors for shright Gresseide
To Troilus thes ilke wordes seide 1148
(165)
loue I crye & mercy I besheche
Helpe Troilus & ])ere-wtt^-aH hii* face
Yppon his brest she leyde and loste speche
Hii* woofuH' spiri3te frome his propre place
Eight with ])e worde alwey A poynt to pace
And ])us she lyth with hewej pale & grene
That whilome freissh & fairesf was to sene
1149
1152
1155
5 And Troilus, gazing on her aspect,
6 And calling her, and not finding himself heard,
7 And her eyes veiled as she fell,
(118)
3 Often kissing the tearful visage.
2 He placed her recumbent,
4 Seeking whether he could see in her
6 Any sign of life.
7 From life so disconsolate,
8 He said weeping, she had passed away.
(166)
THis Troilus ])at on hii' ganne beholde
Cleping hii' name / and she lay as for dede
Wtt^uteh) answei' and felte hii' lymes colde
Hii* yheh) throwen) vpward to her* hede
This sorwefuli man) can) now no maner rede
But ofte tymes hii* colde mouth he kiste
Wheither him was woo god hiTTirBilfe it wiste
(167)
HE riste him vp & long streyte hii' leyde
Por signe of lif for ought he can) or may
Can) he non finde in nothing on) Gresseide
For whiche his songe ia fuH ofte Welawey
But whan) he say pat specheles she lay
Wtt^ soroufuS herte & voyse of blisse alle bare
He seide how she was frome fe worlde I-fare
1156
1159
1162
1163
1166
1169
213
Boccaccio's filostrato, book iv.
CHAUCSB'S TB07LU8 AUD CRYSBYDEf BOOK IV. 213
(119)
5 Wherefoie, after a veiy long lamenting,
7 Ho wiped her face.
(168)
SO af tir ))at he longe hadde hii' compleyned
HiB handed wrongs <& seide that was to sey
And with his tere^ salte hii^ brest be-reigned
He gan) pe teiis wipe of f uH drye
And pitously gan) for the soule preye
And seide Lorde J)at sett art in ^i trone
Rew eke oh) me for I shali folwe hii^ sone
1170
1173
1176
1 She was cold and without any sensation,^
2 So far as Troilus discerned ;
3 And this seemed to him a true argument
4 That she had finished her days.
7 He composed her body,
8 As is usually done with dead things.
(120)
1 And, having done this, with bold spirit
2 He drew his own sword from the sheath,
3 Wholly resolved to take death,
4 In order that his soul might follow
5 That of the lady, with fate so mournful,
6 And might dwell with it in hell,^ —
7 Since grievous Fortune and harsh Love
8 Chased him forth out of this life.
(121)
1 But first he said, incensed with high wrath :
2 " cruel Jove, and thou dire Fortune,
3 Behold, I come to that which ye will I
4 Te have bereft me of my Chryseis.
* " Sentimento " — us in Chaucer.
* ** Inferno : " not perhaps implying more than we now mean
by Hades.
(169)
SHe colde was And wtt/toute sentment cieafM] 1177
For aught he wote brethe paid felte he non)
And ))is was to him A preignant argument
That she was furth oute of p\a worlde A-gone 1180
And whan) he say peie was noon) o]>er wone
He ganne hii^ lymmes dresse in such maner
As men done hem pat shalbe berid on bei* 1183
(170)
Afftir ^is wtt^ steme & crueH herte 1184
His swerde a-none oute of his sheth he twight
Him self* to sle how score |>at him smerte
So that his sowle hire sowle folwe might 1187
Thei^ as pe dome of Mynous wolde it dight
Sith loue & cru^ fortune it ne wolde
That in pis worlde he longer lyue shulde 1190.
(171)
THanne seide he pns fulfilled of high disdeyn) 1191
O cru^ loue & pou fortune aduerse
This alle & somme pat falsely haue ye slayne
Cresseide & sitho ye may doo me noo wurse 1194
Fye vn your mi^tes and wekes so diuerse
Thus Cowardly ye shal me neuer wynne
Thei^ shal no deth me froSi my lady twynne 1197
214
BOGCACXJIO 8 FlWSTRATOy BOOK IV.
GHAUOEB's TJSOYLUa AUD CEYSEYDK, BOOK IV. 214
(122)
1 " And I will quit the world, and will follow
2 Her with my spirit, since so it pleases you.
3 ** ' Perhaps there [beyond the grave] I shall have better
fortune with her, having respite &om my sighs, if
there one can love — ^as I have erewhile he^urd say that
one can.* "
7 " Since ye will not see me in life,
8 At least place my sonl with her.
(123)
1 << And thou, city, which I leave in war,
2 And thou Piiam, and ye dear brothers,
3 God be with you, for I am going underground.
5 '' And thou, for whom woe so clutches me,
7 Beceive me, Chryseis ! '' — ^he would have said,
8 Already with the sword at his breast, to die.
(124)
1 When she, recovering consdousness,
2 Heaved a very great sigh, calling Troilus.
3 To whom he said : " My sweet desire,
4 Now dost thou still live ) "
7 He comforted her.
(172)
FOr in J)is worlde sithe ye haue slayn) hei' )»us 1198
Wil lete & folwe hii' spirite lowe or hi^
Shal neuer louei' sey fai Troilus
Dare not for fei^ yriiJi his Lady dye 1201
For certeine I will ber' hii* companye
But sithe ye wit nat sufiGre vs to lyue hei'
Tet sufireth pat our soules ben) in fere 1204
(173)
ANd |k)u Cite which fat I lyue in woo 1206
And J)ou Priam & bretheru) alle in fere
And f ou Moder Eccuba farewel for I goo
And Attropos make redy ])ou me hex' bez' 1208
And ])ou Cresseid swete herte dere
Receyue now my spiright wiH I sey
Wtt^ swerde at herte Al redy for to dey 1211
(174)
BVt as god wolde A swogh fea^'Wiih she Abreide p^f a^tiMk]
And ganne to sigh and Troilus she crie(}
And he answerd lady myn Gresseide
Lyue ye yett & lette his swerd doune glide 1215
Te herte myn) pat thanked be Cipride
Quod she & thei'-wit^-aH she soore si^t
And he began) to gladder as he myght 1218
5 He took her up in his arms.
7 And the strayed soul
8 Betumed to the heart whence it had fled.
(126)
2 And afterwards, seeing the sword,
(175)
HE toke hii' in his arme^ tuo & kiste hii^ of te
And hiz' to gladde he dide eiB his entent
For whiche hir goste fat fykered ay on lofte
La-to hii' woofuH herte ayeii) it went
But at the last as hii' ey glente
A-side A-noii) she gan) his swerde espie
As it lay bare and gan) for fei' to crie
1219
1222
1225
215
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTSATOf BOOK IT.
CHAUCBR's TXOYLUS and CR7SSYDS, BOOK IV. 215
3 She began : ''Why was that drawn
4 Forth from the sheath ? '' To whom Troilns, weeping,
5 Belated what his life had been.
6 Wherefore she said : " What is this I hear 1
7 " Then, if I had lingered yet awhile,
8 Thou wonldst have slain thyself in this place !
(126)
1 " Ah wofol me ! What hast thou told me )
2 I would never have remained in life
3 After thee.
3 " But through my sorrowing breast
4 I would have stuck it. Now we have much
5 To thank God for. Let us now go to bed :
6 There we will talk over our woes.
7 If I consider the waning torch,
8 A great part of the night is already gone."
(127)
1 As otherwhile the close embracings
2 Had been, so were they now ;
3 But these were with bitter tears more
4 Than they had hwn with sweetness.
5 ** Yet talk, pleamnt and sad, began between them with-
out delay."
7 And Chrys^is began.
(176)
ANd Asked him whi fat he hadde oute drawe
And Troilus a-non pe cause hii' tolde
And how him self* ^-with he wolde haue slawe
For which Cresseide vppoii) him gan) beholde
And gan) him in armes fast folde
And seide mercy god Lo which A dede
Alias hou ney were both dede
(177)
TUan) yif I ne had spoken as grace was
Ye wolde a slayne anon) jom silf quod she
Ye dou3tles and she answerd alias
For by pat ilke Lord that made me
I nolde A furlonge wey on lyue haue be
After yof^ deth to ha be crouned queue
Of alle the londe ]>e sonne on shyneth shene
(178)
But wiiJi pe same swerde which pat hei' is
My silf I wolde haue slayne quod she too
But Hoo for we haue rijt I-now of J)is
And lete vs rise & streite to bedde goo
And )>er lete vs speke of oure woo
For by |>e morter which pat I see brenne
Knowe I ful wel that day is nat ferre henne
1226
1229'
1232
1233
1236
1239
1240
1243
1246
WHan Dei Wer in hire bedde in Armej foldyn)
Nat was it lik pe nijt^^ hei' befome
Ful pitously eche o))er gah) beholden)
As )»ei peX hadden) al blisse I-lome 1250
Be-wayling ay pe day ptA ^ei wei' borne
Titt at pe laste ])is woofuH wight Cresseide
To TroUus pes ilke wordes seide 1258
216
BOCCAOOIOB FILOSTBATO, BOOK IV.
OHAUGBR's TROYLUS and CRYSBYDE, book IV. 216
\ To
8 ' Nothing ever so much distressed me as this mj departure.
Nevertheless, on second thoughts, some hope appears.
My father recalls me, and I shall have to go away
with Diomed.
(180)
TO herte myn wel wote ye Jris quod she
That yif a wight his woo alwey compleyne
And seketh nat hou helped for to be
It nys but fooly and encrease of peyne
And sithe ^at hei' assembled be we tweyne
To fynde bote of" wo ^at we be Inne
It were alle tyme sone to be-gjmne
1254
1257
1260
(181)
I am a woman as full wel ye wote
And as I am a-vised sodeinly
So wil I teS you sithe that it is hote
Me thinketh fai ney])er ye ne I
Ought half pis woo make skilfully
For thei' is arte I-now for to redresse
That is amys and sle )>is heuynesse
(182)
SOthe is fe woo ])e which we be Inne
For ought I wot for no ])ing ellis ys
But for ])e cause ]>at we shulde twynne
Considred all per nys no more a-mys
But what is pane A remedye vn-to p\a
For we shape vs sone to mete
This alle & somme my dere herte swete
1261
1264
1267
1268
1271
1274
(183)
HOw )»at I shall bring it wel aboute
To comeu a-yen sone aftir pat I goo
Thereof am I no manor ping in doute
For dredeles wit^-Inne A wooke or tuoo
I shaH be here & pat it may be soo
Be alle rijt & in wordes fewe
I ahali you wel an hepe of wyles shewe
1276
1278
1281
217
BOCCACCIO 8 FILOSTIUTO, BOOK IV.
chaucsr's tboylus aud cryseydb, book iv. 217
(184)
FOi which I wil nat make loBge s6rmoD) [i<«f8s.bftck] 1282
For tyme yloete may nat recou<9red be
But I wifi goo to my conclusion)
And to the best in ought I can) se 1285
But for the loue of god for-yeyet£ me
Yef I speke ought a-yens youre herte^ reste
For treuely I speke it for ))e beste 1288
(185)
MAking alwey A protestacion)
That now fea wordes which pat I shaU sey
Nys but to shewe you my mocyoii)
To finde vn-to youi* helpe pe best wey
And taketh it nou) oj^er wise I prey
For in efi'ecte what so ye me comaunde
That wyH I doc for pat is no demaunde
(186)
HErkenith now pis & ye wifi vndirstanda
My goyng graunted is by parlement
Soo fei'forth pat it may nat be wit^tande
For al pis worlde as by my lugement
And sith pere helpeth noon auisement
To lete it lightly passe out of mynde
And lete vs shape a bettir wey to finde
(187)
Such is pis pe tw[i]nnyng of vs tweyne
Witi vs disease & cruelly anoy
But him behoueth some tyme to haue a peine
That serueth loue yif he wifi haue loye
And sithe I shal no further oute of Troye
Than) I may ride a-yen) on halfe a morowe
It ought the lesse cause vs to sorwe
1289
1292
1295
1296
1299
1302
1303
1306
1309
TROYLUB.
98
218
BO00AGO1O8 FJLOSTRATO. BOOK IV.
CHAUOBB'B TBDYLUS and C&YSE7DE, BOOK IV. 218
(131)
8 * Peace will soon be concluded : then I ahall return.
Even if the prospect of peace fails, [I can come in time
of trace ' — (see the lines translated to compare with
the Troylua, B. 4, St. 188, 1. 5).]
(132)
8 ' Such visits are permitted to women, and my relatiYes
in Troy will be inviting me.'
4 " In time of truce
5 I shall have occasion to come hither.
(188)
SO as I sbaH not be hidde in mewe
That day be day myn ougne herte dere
Sithe wel ye wot ])at it is now trewe
Ye shall fuH wel of myn estate here
And or fat treus be doon) I shalbe here
And |>an) haue ye botlie Anthenor 1-wonjie
And me Also betti glade now yif ye conne
1310
1313
1316
(133)
1 ''Then we shall be able to take some solace.
(189)
THenke lijt )>U8 Cresseide is now a-gone
But what she shaH: come hastely aryen)
And whanne alias be god ri^t A noon)
Or dayes z J)us dare I sauely seyne
And Jum) att erste shaH we best feyne
So as we shaH to-gedir ener dueH
That alle J)is worlde ne might our blisse teH
Deiif84] 1317
1320
1323
6 ^ Indeed, I see that, when we are in Troy,
7 We have to pass several days without seeing each other
8 Sometimes, with tormenting pains.
(131)
1 '* Thou know'st that here are all my relatives
2 Except my father ; and everything of mine
3 Still remains here.
(190)
I se )»t ofte yeif as we be now
That for the beste oure counseiH for to hide
Ye spake nat wtt^ me ne I wWi you
In fourtenyght ne se you goo ne ride
May ye nat x dayes A-bide
For my honour in suche auenture
I-wis ye mow ellis liteli endure
(191)
TE knowe wel eke ])at i^ my kynne is her^
But ]>at onely it my fadir be
And eke myn odir pinges all in fer'
And nameliche my dere herte ye
Whome pat I nolde leue to see
For alle f^is worlde as wyde as it ha' h space
Or ellis se I neuer loue in his fac3
1324
1327
1330
1331
1334
1337
219
BOOGA0QIO8 FIWSTRATOf BOOK IV.
OHAUOBR'S TROYLUS and CBYSRYDSf BOOK lY. 219
(134)
3 ** My fatlier now has this desire ;
4 And perhaps he fancies that I cannot remain here,
5 I^cause of his misdeed, without apprehension
6 Of violence, or of blame to be incurred by me.
(131)
5 " Peace is continually treated of
6 Between you and the Greeks ; und, if his wife
7 Is restoi-ed to Menelaus, I think you will have it.
(134)
1 ** And, besides this, a greater hope
2 Of returning, whether peace or not, is bom in me.
(135)
1 " And what to do should [my father] keep me among
the Greeks,
2 Who, as thou seest, are always under arms )
8 Nor d'o I well see any one contrary to fmy returning!.
(192)
WHy trowe ye ray fadir on fis wise
Coueited so to se me but for drede
Leste ^t in ))is towne folke me dispise
Be cause of him for his vnhappy dede
What wot my fadir what lif« pat I lede
For yif" he wist in Troye how weH T fare
Ys neded for my going not to care
(193)
YE see ^at eu^ry day eke moore
Men trete of pes & it supposed is
That men the queue Eleyne shaH restor^
And Grekis restore vs pat is a-misse
So |>ei' nei' comforte nat but ])is
That men purposed on euery side
Ye may J>e bett^ at ese of herte Abyde
(194)
FOr yif )»at it be pees myn herte dei'
The nature of ])is mote nede^ dryue
That men musten) entercomen in fei'
And to & fix)o eke ride & gone as blyue
AH day as thikke as been flieh) from an hyue
And eueij wi^t haue liberte to beleue
Wher as him liste J>* best wttft-outen leue
(195)
ANd )K)ugh so be ^at pes ^ei' may be none
Yett hider fouj pees neuer ne wer*
I must come for whider shulde y gone
Or how mischauns shulde I duelle thei'
A-monge the men of Armes euyr in fere
For which as wisely god my sowle rede
I can) not see wherof ye shulde drede
1338
1341
1344
1345
1348
1351
riMf84,buck] 1352
1355
1358
1359
1362
1365
220
Boccaccio's filostrato, book iv.
chaucbb's troylus and cilysstdb, book iv. 220
(136)
1 " He is, as thou knowest, old and avaricious.
2 "And here he has that which may make him hearken ;
3 Which, if he values it, I will tell him.^
* The reet of this passage takes, in Chaucer, a somewhat different
turn from what it does in Boccaccio. In the Italian poem, Chryseis
simply proposes to persuade her father that his property in Troy
will be better looked alter if he allows her to return thither.
(196)
HAue hei' an other wey yif it so be
]>at bA J)is ])ing ne may you suffice
My fadir as ye knowen wel parde
Is old & age is fuH of* couetise
And I ri3t now haue founden alle the gise
Wit^-outen nett whei'-wzt/t I shaH him hent
And herkenytl^ now yif J)at ye wiH assent
(197)
LO Troilus men say )>at harde it is
The wolfe fuH & fe wethir hoole to haue
This is to sey J>at men fuH ofte I-wisse
Must spende part ])e remenau;it* for to saue
For ay yrith golde men may pe herte graue
Of him that set is vppon) Covetise
And how I mene I shal it you deuise
(198)
The moeble which I haue in J)is towne
Yn to my fadir sh^ I take & sey
That rijt for trust & for sauacion)
It sent is frome a frende of his or twey
The which frende* f eruently him prey
To sende af tir more & pat in hie
While that ^is towne stant in leopardie
(199)
ANd pat shalbe an huge quantite
Thus shat I sey but lest it folke espied
This may be sent by no wijt but by me
I shal eke shewe him yf pees betide
What frendes I haue on euery side
Towardes J)e Courte to doo J)e wrathe pace
Of Priam^^tf and make him stande in grace
1366
1369
1372
1373
1376
1379
1380
1383
1386
DMfss] 1387
1390
1393
221
BOOOAGCIO S FILOSTRATO, BOOK IV.
Chaucer's tboylus and crtseydb, book iv. 221
7 " And he, through avaiico,
8 Will he glad at my returning." ^
' In the ensuing stanza 203 Chaucer avers that ** writen wel I
fynde " that Chryseis made in good faith her protestations of love
to Troilus, and of her resolution to return. He did not '< fynde "
this expressly and categorically set forth in the Hlogtrato ; but
Boccaccio clearly implies as much.
(200)
80 what for oo thing & for other swete
I shal him so enchannte ^^^tk my sawes
That rijt in heuen) his sowle shat he mete
For aH appollo or his Clerkysshe lawes
Or Calkelyng A-yaylet& nat thre hawes
Desira of gold shat so his sowle blynde
That as me list I shall wel make an ende
(201)
ANd he it wolde oute by his sorte to prene
Yef Jiat I lye in certein I shall fonde
Desturbe him & plukke him by pe sleue
Making his sorte or bei> him on honde
He hath nat wel ])e goddes yndirstonde
For Groddes spekyn in Amphibologies
And for A soth pe tefi twenty lies
(202)
Eke drede fonde first goddes I suppose
Thus shal I sey & ])at his coward herte
Made him armys |>e goddes texte to glose
Whan) he for drede out of Delphos sterte
And but I make him sone to eonuerte
And doo my rede wtt^in A day or twey
I wiH to you oblige me to dey
1394
1397
1400
1401
1404
1407
1408
1411
1414
(203)
ANd truely is wretyn wel I finde
That al pi& j^ing was seide of good ente^it
And yai hir herte was trew good & kinde
Towardes him & spakke ri)t as she ment
And pat she sterue for wo nei' whan) she went
And was in purpos euer to be true
pVLB write ]>ei )>at of hii*' worker knewe
1415
1418
1421
222
BOCCAOCIO'S riWSTBATO, BOOK IV.
OHAUOER'S TJtOYLUS AND CRTSSYDRy BOOK IV. 222
(137)
1 Troilus listened attentively to the lady ;
2 And her talk touched his mind,
3 And almost probable it appeared to him
4 That that which she said must certainly
5 Be so, — ^but, because he was much in love,
6 He stiU lent faith to it slowly.
7 Yet at the last, as it was his own wish,
8 Seeking within himself, he persuaded himself to believe
it
(138)
1 Whence part of the heavy grief
2 Departed from them, and hope returned ;
3 And, then becoming less stem in will,
4 They recommenced the amorous dance.
5 And as the bird from leaf to leaf,
6 In the new time, takes delight
7 In his song, so did these,
8 Speaking to each other of many things.
(139)
1 But, as it could not pass out of Troilus's
2 Heart that she would have to depart,
3 He began to speak in this wise :
Deaf86,bMk3 1422
7 ** What life do8t thou suppose
8 That mine will be if thou retumest not soon )
(140)
1 ** Live as certain as of death
2 That I would kill myself, wert thou to delay
3 At all overmuch to return hither.
(204)
THis Troilus wtt^ herte & eres spradde
Herde alle j^is ])ing deuised too & froo
And verily semyd pat he hadde
The self* witte but yet to lete hire goo 1425
His herte mys-for-yaflF him eu^ moo
But finally he ganne his herte wreste
To trustyn hire? & toke it for the beste 1428
(205)
FOr which pe gret furye of his penauns 1 429
Was queynte with hoope & peie-with hem betwen)
Began) for loye the Amerous dauns
And as )>e briddes whann) ])e sonne is shene 1432
Deliteh) in her' song in Leues grene
Eight so ))e wordes ^t pei spake in fei*
Delited hem & mad hir' herteir clere 1435
(206)
But natheles ])e wending of Cresseide 1436
For aH ])is worlde may nat out of his mynde
For which futt ofte ful pitously hir preicJ
That of hii^ heste he mijt hii' trew finde 1439
And seide hii' certe^ yif she be vnkynde
That but ye come at day sett in to Troye
Shal I neuar haue hele honour ne loye 1442
(207)
FOr also soth as sonne vprist on morwe 1443
And god so wissely ])ou me woof ul wrech^
To rest bring out of fia cruett sorwe
I wil my self sle yif J^at ye dreche 1446
But of my deth you litett be to reche
Tet hei' foi ye me causyn so to smerte
Duelleth rather hei* myn ougne dere herte 1449
223
JJOOOAOOIO'S FTLOSTRATOy BOOK 17.
CHAUCER'S TR0YW8 AND CRYSEYDK, BOOK IV. 223
(141)
1 ''I know not whether peace will ever be made between
us :
2 Whether peace or not,
5 [Considering] the infamy of his misdeed,
2 I scarcely
3 Think that Calchas will ever return hither :
8 That he should send thee back I scarcely credit.
(142)
1 *^ He will give thee a husband among the Greeks :
4 He will cajole thee.
(208)
FOr truely my ougne Lady dei* 1 450
Tho sleyghte^ yet fat I haue herde you stei*
Ful shappely ben^ to faile alle in fere
For pus men say ])at one ])inketib be ei' 1453
But all an other ])inketh ])e ledei'
Tour siT* is wise & sith it is oute of drede
Men may ])e olde ou^-renne & nat ouer-rede 1456
(209)
IT is ful harde to halte vn-espied oafM] 1457
Be-fore A CrepiH for he can) pe craf te
Toure Fadir is in sleyght as aigus eyed
For alle-be )>at hiB mobles bene berafte 1460
He vndirstandeth / hou he is lafte
Ye shaH nat blynde him for all your womanhed
Ne fey no a right & ]?at is aH my drede 1463
(210)
I Not yef pees shall' euermooie be-tyde 1464
But pees or noo for emest ne for game
I wote sithe Calcas on the Grekis syde
Hath ones bee & loste so foule his name 1467
He Dare no more come hei^ a-yen) for shame
For whiche \\b wey for ought ]»at I can) spie
To truste on is but fantesie 1470
(211)
TE shal eke se your fadir shall you glose 1471
To be A wiff and as he canne wel prcche
He shall Aome Greke so preyse & wel alose
That rauisshe he shaH you wttA his speche 1474
Or doo you doone yriih force as he shaH you teche
And Troilus of whom he nitt haue routh
Shal causeles so sterue in his trouth 1477
224
BOCCACCIO 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK IV.
chauobr's troylus and crysbydk, book it. 224
2 '' And he will show thee that, in remaining besieged,
3 There is danger of coming to a bad pass.
8 " I fear that thou wilt never return to Troy.
4 " He will cause that thou shalt be honoured
5 By the Greeks.
(212)
ANd ouer ail pis youre fadii' shal despise
Vs alld & sey pis Cite nys but Lome
And ]»t pe sege neuer shatt arise
For whi fe Grekes haue it aU I-swome
Titt we be slayne & doune our walles tome
And pxiB he shaH you wtt^ his wordes fere
That day drede I pat ye wifi be leue pete
(213)
T£ shaH eke se so many A lusty knyght
Amonge the Grekes fufi of worthines
And ec& of hem with herte witte Ss myght
To please you do alle his besinesse
))at ye shiJi dufi of pe rudnesse
Of us sely Troian) but yif routh
Kemorde you or virtue of yoi^r trouth
1478
1481
1484
1485
1488
1491
(143)
1 " And this is to me so grievous to think . . .
8 " If thou leavest me, consider that I am dead.
(U4)
1 'Let us then seek out some means of preventing your
departure altogether.
(214)
ANd l^is to me so greuous to thinke [ieaf86ki»ek] 1492
That fiiome my brest it wifi the soule rende
Ne dredeles in me thei' can) not synke
A good opinion) yef pat ye wende 1495
For whi your fadres sleyghte^ wifi vs shende
And yef ye gone as I haue tolde you yoore
So thinke I nam but dede wtUi-outen) more 1498
3 " Let us go off to another region.
(215)
FOr which wit/i humble trewe & pitous herte
A thousand tymes mercy I you prey
So rewet& on myne aspire peynes smerte
And dotb sumwhat as pat I shafi you sey
And lete vs stele A-wey bytwixe vs twey
And pinke psX foly is whaii) a man) may chese
For Accidente^ pe substauns ay to lese
1499
1502
1505
225
BOCCACOIO'S FILOSTRATOy BOOK IV.
CHAUOBR's TR0YLU3 AND CRYSEYDK, BOOK IT. 226
(146)
1 " Let U8 then flee hence secretly,
2 And go thither together, thou and I.
7 '* And this is the more secure.
3 " And that which we have remaining
4 Of life in the world, heart of my body,
5 Let us live it with delight together.
8 ''And every other plan seems to me hard.
(144)
6 '' There are, afar from here,
7 People who will gladly see us.
8 " * And who will even always acknowledge us as lords.' "
(145)
6 " This I would wish, & this is my desire,
7 Wert thou to approve it."
(146)
1 Chryseis, sighing, replied to him :
2 " Dear my bliss, and delight of my heart,
3 All these things might come to pass,
4 And even more, in the form thou hast said.
(216)
I mene |)us sithe we may or day
Wei stele a-wey and be to-gider soo
What witte wei* it to putte it in Asay
In case ye shulden to youre fadir goo
Yef that ye mygfit come a-yen) or noo
Thus mene I \ai it wei^ a gret folie
To put )>at sikimesse in leopardie
(217)
ANd vulgarly to speke of* substauns
Of tresoure may we bothe wtt^ vs lede
I-nougti to lyue in honour & plesauns
Til vn-to the tyme ])at we shulbe dede
And l^us we may eschewe ati this drede
For euerycfi ofer* wey fat ye canne recorde
Myn hert I-wisse f ei^wtt/t may nat accorde
(218)
ANd hardily dredetB no pouerte
For I haue kynne and firendes ellis whei'
That fough we comen in oui' bare shirte
Ys shulde noufir lakke golde ne gei^
But be honoured whUe we duelle thei*
And goo we a-noon for as in myn entent
This is fe best for vs and ye wiH assent
(219)
CResseid him wtt^ a sigll right in fis wise
AnswercJ I-wis my dere herte trewe
We may weti stele A-wey as ye deuise
Or finde suche vnthrifty weys newe
But Aftirwarde it will vs futi soore rewe
And helpe me god so at my moste nede
As causeles ye suflryn) aH f is drede
1506
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1512
1613
1616
1619
1620
1623
1626
[iMfST] 1527
1630
1638
THOYLUS.
29
226
DOCCAOOIO B FJLOSTRATO, BOOK IV.
GHAUGBR'S TB07LU8 AND CRrSSYDS,^ BOOK IT. 226
7 ** Commands, cajolements, or husband,
8 Will never wrest my affection from thee.
5 " But I swear to thee by those amorous
6 Darts which, for theey have entered my breast.
(220)
FOr pUke day )>at I for cherisshing
Or drede of fadir or for other wigfit
Or for estate delite or for wedding
Be false to you my Troilus my knyght
Satumes doughter loue ])urgfi hii* myght
As woods as athamante do me duelle
Etemaly in Stix ])e pitte of helle
(221)
ANd pis oon) euary god celestiidi
I swere it yow & eke on eche goddes
On euery Nimphe And deyte infemaU
On) statery & ferry more & lesse
That halfe goddes bene of wUdimesse
And Antropos my threde of liff pou breste
Yef* I be false now troweth me yef ye leate
(222)
ANd pon Symoys pat as an arwe dei'
l^urgh Troy rynnest ay downewarde to ]w see
Bere witnesse of ])i8 words pat seyde is hei'
That ilke day ])at I vntrewe be
To Troilus myn ougne herte fre
That pou retome bakward to ])in welle
And I yfiih body & sowle synke in to helle
1534
1637
1540
1541
1544
1547
1548
1551
1554
(147)
1 '' But what thou wast saying about going away.
2 Is not a wise counsel, to my thinking. You must have
some heed of youreelf and your friends. Were we to
go away, three ill-consequences might ensue — 1st, The
evil of broken faith.
(148)
1 " And thus would be in peril of thy family ;
2 For, if for a woman thou hadst left
3 Them beyond aid and counsel . . .
(223)
But pat ye speke A-wey pis for to goo 1555
And leue allc yoMr frendis god forbede
For any woman pat ye shulde soo
And namely sith Troie hath such nede 1558
Of helpe & eke of* oo )>ing taketh heiie
Yef pis wei* wist my lif were in balawns
And youi' honour loste god shelde vs from myschauns 1561
227
BOCOACGIO'S FILOaTRATOj BOOK IV.
OHAUCBR'S TROYLUS and CRYHKYDEy BOOK IV. 227
4 *They would inspire others with fear of stratagems.
You and yours would be much blamed, and the real
8 truth of the matter would never be believed.
(U9)
1 '' And, if any time demands faith or loyalty,
2 That of war appears to be it.
(150)
1 « On the other hand, what think'st thou among people
2 "Would be spoken of thy departure 1
3 They would not say that Love with his fn^vent
4 Darts brought thee to such a decision,
5 But fear and cowardice. Therefore forego
6 Such a thought, were it ever to enter thy heart,
7 If thy fame is in the least dear to thee,
8 "Which sounds so illustrious ^ of thy valour.
(151)
1 "Then reflect that my honour
2 And my chastity, held as supreme,
3 With what infamy they woidd be spotted-
(162)
'Besides, whatever is most securely possessed is least
prized. Our loves derive half their charm from their
secresy.*
5 " Nor would they ever be upraised again
6 By excuse, or by virtue
7 Which I might work, whatever I might do,
8 If I remained in life a hundred thousand years.
(154)
1 '' Then take comfort, and conquer Fortune
2 By turning thy back, and tire her out.
3 " To her never succumbed any
4 Person in whom she found a valiant soul.
* " Chiara "—the " clere " of Chaucer, or the Latin " clara."
(224)
ANd yef so be ])at pees herg-after take Lie«f87,i»ok] 1562
As aHday hapneth after anger game
We lorde ))e sorwe & woo pat ye wolde make
That ye ne durste come a-yen) for shame
And hex' pat ye leoparten) so jour name
Beth nott to hasty in pis hote fare
For hasty mau) ne wanted neu^r caie
1565
1568
(225)
WHate trowe ye eke pe people A-boute
Wolde of* it sey it is fuH light to A-rede
Thei wolden it sey & swera oute of dought
That loue ne drofife yow to doo pat dede
But lust voluptuouse and coward drede
Thus AH were loste Lwisse myn) herte dei*
Your honowr which pat shyneth so clere
(226)
ANd also pinketh on myne honeste
That floureth yett how fowle it shulde it shend
And wtt^ what filth it spotted shulde be
Yef in pis fowrme I shulde wtt^ you wciide
Ne pou3 I lyued vn-to pe worldes ende
My name shulde I neu^ wynne
Thus were I lost & pat were routh & synne
(227)
And f or-pi sle wttA reson) alle pis hete
Men say pe sufferau72t* ou^comth pe proude parde
Eke who so haue pe life mote lete
Thus maketh vertu of necessite
Be pacient & pinke pat lorde is he
Of fortune Ay pat nought wiH of hire reche
And she ne daunteth no wi3t but a wreche
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1576
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1589
228
BOCCACOIO'S FILOSTAATOf BOOK IT.
OHAUOBR's TB0YLU8 AND CEY8BYDE, BOOK IT. 228
7 " For on the tenth day,
8 Without any fail, I will letom hither/'
(155)
1 " If thou," then said Troilua, " wilt he here
2 By the tenth day, I am content
* Tet how will it be possible for me to get through the
interval 1
(166)
1 " Oh for God's sake find a way of remaining 1 "
(167)
1 ** Ah me 1 " said Chryseis, ** thou slayest me !
3 And I see thou confidest not
4 In my promise as much as I had supposed*
5 " Ah my sweet bliss ! why distrustest thou thusi
(159)
1 *' To wait for the time is useful at whiles,
2 In order to gain the time, my soul :
3 I am not, as thou wouldst show, taken from thee,
4 Through being given up to my &ither.
(228)
ANd trusteth ])is certe^ herte swete
Or Phehus suster Lucyna fe shene
The Lyon) passe oute of* his ariete
I wil be hei* witA-outen) any wene
I mene as helpe me loue heuen) queue
The x^ day but deth me assaile
I wil you se w/tA-outen any faile
(229)
ANd now so ]»is be soth quod Troilus
I shaH weH sufi&e vn to ])e x^ day
8it& ))at I see J^at nedes it muste be thus
But for the loue of god yif it be may
So lete vs stele preuelyc A- way
For euyr in oone as for to lyue in reste
Myn herte seith j^at it wilt be ^e beste
(230)
Mercy god what lif is this quod she
Alias ye sle me ]7us for veiy tene
1 see wel now ])at ye mistrusten) me
For be youre wordes it is wel sene
Now for the Loue of Cynthea )>e shene
Mis-trust me uat ])us causeles for routh
Sith to be trewe I you plight my tiouth
(231)
■£ thinketli wel fat somme tjme it is witte
To spende a tyme a tyme for to wynne
Ne parde lorne am I nat from you yett
Though ptkt we ben A day or tweyne atwynne
Dryue out pe fantasies you wit^Inne
And trusteth me And leueth dH your sorwe
Or hei' my trouth I wiH nat lyue til to morwe
1590
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1596
[iMifasj 1597
1600
1603
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1607
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229
BOCCACCIO 8 FILOSTRATOf BOOK IV.
CHAUCBB'S TROYLUS and CRYSEYDBf BOOK lY. 229
(160)
5 ** For, if thou knewest bow it pains me,
7 Thou wouldst regret it.
(158)
5 " For the soul within my heart weeps for it,
(160)
6 " To see the wailings and the so hard sighs
7 That thou for this sendest forth.
(159)
5 " Nor fancy in thy heart that I am so silly
6 As not to find out a mode and way
7 Of returning to thee.
(161)
1 " t^OT thee in joy and desire
2 I hope to live, and to return soon.
(160)
1 " Wherefore I pray thee, if my prayer avails,
2 Both by the great love thou bearest me,
3 And by that which I bear thee, which is as great,
4 That thou take comfort for this my going.
(161)
5 ''So that I
6 May have no more pain.
1 " And I pray thee.
8 My sweet repose,
(162)
(161)
(162)
1 While I shall be afar,
2 That thou let not thyself be caught by the cheer
3 Of any woman, or by roaming fancy.
(232)
FOr yif ye wist how score it doth me smerte
Ye wolde sese of fis for god Jou woste
The pure spirite wepet& in myn herte
To see you wepe fat I loue moste
And ^at I moot goo to pe Grekes hoste
Te nei' it fat I wiste remedie
To come a-yen) ri^t her* I wolde dye
(233)
But cert68 I am nat so nyse A wigl&t
That I ne can) ymagyne A way
To come A-yen> fat day fat I haue higbt
For who may holde a ))ing fat wiH a-way
My fader not for aH lus queynt pley
And by my thrifte my wending out of Troie
A>no))er day shal tume vs aH to loye
(234)
WHerf ore with alle myne herte I you beseke
Yef fat you liste done oug&t for my prayer
And for fe loue of whic& fat I loue you eke
That or J^at I departe firom) you hei*
That of so good a comforte and chere
I may you se fat ye may bring at reste
Myn) herte whicH fat is in pointe to breste
(235)
ANd ouer alia this I pray you quod she thoo
Myn ougne herte« sothefast sufficiauns
Sitti I am youre aii with-outen moo
That while I am absent no plesauns
Of other put me from) your remembrauns
For I am euer a-gaste for whi men rede
That Loue is a |)ing ay f u& of besy dred
1618
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[lMf88,back]
1635
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1639
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230
BOCOAOOIO'S FJLOSTRATOy BOOK IV.
CHAUOB&*S TSOYLUS AND CRYSETDE, BOOK IV. 230
7 Wouldest thou leave me for another, knowing
8 That I love thee more than ever woman loved man 1
4 For, were I to know it, thou mayst hold for certain
5 That I should kill myself like a mad woman."
6 Making complaint of thee beyond desert.
(163)
1 To this last portion, sighing,
2 Troilus replied : " If I wanted to do
3 That which thou now touchest on suspectingly,
4 I fail to see how I ever could.
6 ' I will tell you why I love you so passionately. I was
not captivated by beauty, nor yet by high birth.
^ In Boccaccio, these wordB, and the remainder of the speech,
are assigned to Troilus, not Chryseis.
(164)
5 " ITor yet any ornament, no riches,
6 Made me feel love for thee in my heart.^
(165)
2 "Although in all these you abound. *But thy lofty
and lordly demeanour, thy high spirit and chivalrous
talk.' "
(236)
FOr in ])ia worlde ther Leuyt^ lady noon)
Yef pat ye wer* vntrewe as god defende
That so be-trayed wei* or woo be-goon)
As I ])at an trouth to you intende
And doughtles yef ])at I oj^er wende
I nei* but ded and or ye cause fynde
For goddes Love so beth me nat vnkynde
(237)
TO ])is answerd Troilus & seide
Now god to whome per nys no cause ywrey
Me gladde as wisse I neuer vn-to Cresseide
Sithe thilke day I saugh hii* first W2t^ yhe
Was neuer false ne shaH tiH pat I dey
At short wordes wel ye may me leue
I can) no moore it shalbe fcmnden at pr^ue
(238)
OEaunt mercy god myne I-wisse quod she
And blisfuti Yeniis let me neuer sterue
Or I may stonde of plesauns in degre
To quite him wel pat so wel can) deserue
And while pat god my witte wiH me y-serue
I shal so doo so trewe I haue you founde
That ay honoz^r to me warde shati rebounde
(239)
FOr trusteth weH pat your estate Boiati
Ne veyne delite ne onely worthinesse
Of you in guerre or tourney marciaS
Ne pompe array nobley or eke richesse
Ne made me to rew on youi* destresse
But moraH vertue grounded vppon trout£
That was pe cause I first hadde on yow roubh
1646
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[leaf 89] 1667
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231
BOCGAOCIO'S FILOSTBJLTOt BOOK IV.
OHAUOBR's TSOYLUS and CBTSSYDKf BOOK IV. 231
3 " Thy manners nobler than any one else,
4 And thy graceful ladylike disdain,
5 Whereby vile appeared to be to thee
6 Every lowbred^ appetite and doing,
8 Set thee in my mind with love.
* " Popoleaoo " ; Chaucer's word ** peopliach.*'
(166)
1 " And these things years cannot take away,
2 Nor mobile Fortune."
3 ' What solace shall I have when you are gone 1 None
but death.'
(167)
1 After they had conversed much,
2 And wept together, because the daw& was already nearing,
3 They left off,
7 Commending themselves each to other :
8 And thus they parted tearfoL
(240)
EEe gentiH herte & manhod pat ye hadde
And pat ye hadde as me ])ought in despite
Euery fing pat souned in to badde
As rudenesse and poeplissh Appetite
And pixt your' resoune brideled your delite
Thus made arbouen eue?y creature
That I was your^ & shal whil I may dui'
(241)
ANd ^is may length of jeres nat for-doo
Ne resonable fortune to deface
But lubiter J^at of his might may do
The sorwef uti: to be gladde so yeue vs grace
Or mghtes x to mete in ])is place
So that it may your herte & myn) suffice
And fareth now wdi for tyme is pat ye rise
(242)
But After that ^ei longe compleined hadde
And ofte I-kiste & streite in Armes folde
That pe day gan) rise & TroHus him dadde
And pitously his Lady gan) be-holde
As he pat felte dethes cares colde
And to hir' grace he gan) him recomattnde
WheT* him was woo ^is holde I no dematmde
(243)
FOr marines bed ymagyne ne can)
Ne entendement conaidiQ ne tunge telle
The crueti peynes of pia woofuH man)
That passen) eu^ry torment doune in helld
For whan) he sawe pat she ne myght duelle
Whiche pat his sowle oute of his herte rent*
Wtt^-outen more oute of the chambre he went
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Explicit Liber quartus
[iMif 8«b book]
232
BOOOAGOIO'S FILOSTRATOf BOOK Y.
chaucbr's trovlus and cryseyde^ book y. 232
BOOK V.
Et Incipit Liber Quintt^^.
[OM Uaff», 6adbj
Bkix. (1)
1 Now was appioaching the dolorous fate,
2 The more heaYj for him to bear
3 As the more glory had eleYated him
4 Which made him be seen there Yictorious.
5 But thus of this world goes the state
6 That man is then more prone to fall,
7 And falls all the heaYier, when aloft
8 He has the more mounted aboye the green enamel.
Aj^^' c< Bk. ii. (1)
1 The sun had twice melted
2 The snows on the high hills, and as often
3 Zephyr had restored the leaYes
4 And the fair flowers to the despoiled plants,
5 Since from Athens had departed
6 The rich ships, Africus [wind] blowing,
7 By which Theseus and his crew were carried
8 Into the conquered Scythian ports.
Book V. (1)
1 That same day Diomed came.
3 Wherefore Priam gaYe him Chryseis, —
4 Of sighs, of plaints, and of woe,
5 So full as to distress those who see her.
(1)
Approchin gan) \^ &tafi destenye
That loue hal£ In disposiciou)
And to you Anguriy parcas sustren) thre
Committed to done execucion)
For whiche Cresseide muste oute of the toune
And Troilus shatt dueti: forth in pyne
TiH Latesis his threde no lenger twyne
<2)
THe AuiicomzM tressed Phebus hie on lof te
Thries had aUa w^tA his hemes shene
The snowes molteu) & Zephirus as ofte
y-brou3t A-yen) the tendre leues grene
Sith ))at ])e sone of Eccuba ])e queue
BegaD) to loue hii' flrste for whom) his sorwe
Was ali that she departe shuld on morwe
(3)
Futi redy was at Prime Diomede
Cresseide on to pe Grekes oste to lede
For sorwe of which she felte hii' herte blede
As she that nyst what was best to rede
And truely as men in bookes rede
f Men vnste neuer woman) haue ])e care
Ne was so lothe oute of A towne to fare .
1
4
8
11
14
15
18
21
233
BOCOAOGIO'S FILOSTMATOf BOOK Y.
ohauobr's troylus and cryseyds, book V. 233
6 On the other side was her loyer,
7 In such sorrow that nobody
8 Ever saw any one the like.
(2)
1 True it is that by great force he hid
2 WonderfuUy within his sorrowing breast
3 The great battle which he had
4 With sighs and with tears ; and in his aspect
5 Nothing or little as yet was to be seen.
(3)
5 And he said below his breath :
6 '' O miserable wofol, and why wall I longer)
7 Is it not better once to die
8 Than always live and languish in wailing?
(4)
1 " Why do I not with arms perturb this pact 1
3 * Why do I not cut my &ther in pieces, and challenge
4, 5 all my brothers f '
6 " Why in wailing and in woful outcry
7 Do I not plunge Troy ?
2 Why do I not here slay Diomed?
7 Why do I not seize away
8 Ohryseis now, and heal myself)''
TB0TLU& 80
(4)
THis Troilus wtt^-outen) rede or Lore D«^«o]
As a man) that hath his loyes eke for-lore
Was waiting od) his Lady euer-more
As she that was fe sothfast croppe & mooi^
Of aiilus lust or loyes hei' byf ore
But Troilus now fareweH att pi loye
For shall pon neuer se hir* efte in Troye
(5)
SOthe is pat while he bode in pis manor
He gan) his woo fuH manly for to hide
That weH ynnethe it sen) was in his chei'
But at pe yate pef she shulde oute ride
Wit^ certeyn) folke he hoyed hii* to A-byde
So wo be^ooD) he wolde him nat compleyne
That on his hors he sate vnnetll for peyne
(«)
FOr Ire he quoke so ganne his harte gnawe
Whan) Diomede on horse gao) him dresse
And seide vn to him self pis ylke sawe
Alias quod he pus foule A wrechednesse
Whi suffre I it whi nyH I it redresse
Wei^ it nat beste at ones to deye
Than eudr-more in langoi' pus to dreye
WHi nil I make at ones riche & poore
To have I-nough to doone or pat she goo
Whi niH I bringe alle Troie yppon) Roore
Whi nil I sle pis Diomede also
Whi nil I rather wtt^ a man) or tuoo
Stele hii' awey whi wiH I pis endui*
Whi nil I helpe to mjn ougne cure
22
25
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29
32
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36
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43
46
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234
BOOOAOGIO 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK Y.
CHAUCBR'S TSOTLUS and CRrSEYDSy BOOK V. 234
(6)
6 But 80 fierce and audaciou8 a scheme
7 Fear made him abandon, lest slain
8 Chryseis should be in such a fray.
* " YbXIo ; " Chftuoer renders the word by " valeye ; " — ^no doubt
through a misapprehenBion, '* valley ** being **valk" in Italian.
(6)
4 She mounted the horse, and despiteously
5 Began saying to hersel£
6 ' Ah cruel Jove and Fortune, why sever me from Troilus 9
I will not propitiate you with a single sacrifice till I
am restored to him.' ** Then she turned indignantly
to Diomed, and said, ' Now let us go ; we have been
showing ourselves sufficiently to these people — ^who
may well hope for relief from their troubles if they
look closely to the honourable exchange that thou hast
made ; who hast, for a woman, restored so great and
so redoubted a king.' "
1 And, having said this, she gave her horse the spur.
3 Priam and his barons perceived her rage. She would
hear no one,
8 Nor look at any.
(10)
1 Troilus, in guise of a courtesy,
2 Mounted on horse with several companions,
3 With a falcon on his fist ; and he bK)re her company
4 As far as beyond the whole rampart ; ^
5 And gladly the whole journey
6 Would he have gone up to her lodgement,
7 But it would have been too patent.
(11)
1 And already Antenor had come among them,
2 Given up by the Greeks ; and with great greeting
3 And with honour had
4 The Trojan youths received him. And, although this
5 Eetum was to Troilus, within his hearty
6 Very vexatious, on account of Chryseis surrendered,
7 Yet he received him with a good face.
(8)
But whi he nolde do soo cruett A dede 50
That shal I sey & whi him list hit spare
He hadde in herte att-wey a maner of diede
Lest )>at Cresseide in rumoi^ of ^is fare 53
Shulde ha be slayne Lo p\B was att his care
And ellis certeyn) as I seyde yoore
He had it doone wiihoni wordes mOore 56
(9)
CEesseide whan) she was redy to ride [iMr9o,bMk} 57
Ful sorwefully she sighed & seide alias
But forthe she mote for ougBt pat may beiide
The is noon o)wr remedye in Jris caas 60
And forth she ritte f uH soberly a pas
What wonder is fough fat hii' soore smerte
Whan) she for-goth hir ougne dere herte 63
(10)
THis Troilus in guise of curteeie 64
With hauke on honde & with an huge rowte
Off knyghtes roode & made hir companie
Passing ati the valley ien^ wtt^-oute 67
And ferther wolde haue riden) oute of doute
Ful fayne & woo was him to goo so soone
But retome he must & it was eke to done 70
(11)
Eight with yai was Anthenore I-come 71
Oute of fe Grekes boost & eaerj wig&t
Was of it gladde & seide he was welcome
And Troilus aH nei' his herte light 74
He peyned him wrt^ all his full^ myght
Him to restreine from weping at leste
And Anthenore he kyste & made A feste 77
235
DOCCAOCIO'S FJLOSTRATO, BOOK V.
CHAUCBB's TROYWS and CEYSEYDg, BOOK Y. 235
(12)
1 And, being already at point of leave-taking,
3 They gazed into the eyes one of tUe other
6 And then Troilus approached her so near.
5 And next they took each other by the right hand.
4 Nor could the lady withhold her tears.
7 She could hear him speaking under-breath,
8 And he said : ** Eetum, make me not die."
(13)
1 And, without any more, turning his courser,
2 All coloured in face, to Diomed
3 He spoke not at all ; and of these doings
4 Diomed alone took notice.^
S) Diomed perceives their love ; and, turning it over in his
8 thoughts he is smitten with Chryseis.
(12)
ANd here wttA-cdi he must his Leue take 78
And cast his yhe vppon hii' pitously
And nere he rode his causes for to make
To take hii' by the honde sobirly 81
And Lorde so she gan) wepe tendirly
And he fut softe & sely gan) hii' sey
Now holdeth youre day & lete me not dey 84
(13)
Withe his courser turned he A-boute 85
With face pale and to Diomede
No worde he spake ne noon) of alt his route
Of which pe sone of* Tideus toke hede .i. Diomede 88
As he )>at coude moore paii) ^e crede
In such crafte & by ]>e rene hii^ hent
And Troilus to Troie homewarde he wente. 91
>.*
' In line 6 of this stanza, we find that Diomed '^ by the reyne
hire bente.** I think Chaaoer must have misunderatood here the
oorreq)onding line in Boocaooio, **di oolei si ptglia" — supposing it to
mean (which it might do, so far as the mere words are ooncemed)
** he takes hold of her." The real signification is, <' he gets taken
by her — stakes a fancy to her."
(1*)
THis Diomede ]»at ledde hir by pe brideii [iMf 9i] 92
Whan) that he saugh the folke of Troye A-way
Thought alle my labour shal nat be yddi
Yef ]>at I may for sum what shall I say 95
For at pe werste it may yet shorte your wey
I haue herd seyde eke tyme twyes twelve
He is a fole ])at wiH for-yete hyme selue 98
(15)
But natheles puB pought he well' ynowe 99
That certeinly I am a-boute nought
Yef pat I speke of loue or make it tough
For dou^tles yef she haue in hii* ]K)ught 102
Him ])at I gisse he may nat be oute brought
So sone A-wey but I shall fynde A meane
That she nat wete as yet shall what I mene 105
236
BOCOACOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK T.
OHAU0IR8 TBOTLUa AND CRYaRYDE^ BOOK ▼.
236
(16)
THis Diomede as he ^at coude his good
Whan) tjme was gao) falle forth in speche
Of ])is & ]>at And axed wbi she stoode
In such di[8]ease & hii^ ganne be-seche
That yef he encrease might hii' eche
Wiifi any ])ing hii' ease j^at she shulde
Comaunde it him & seide he done it wolde
106
109
112
(17)
FOr tniely he swore hii' as A knyght 113
That \eij^ nas ])ing witA which he might hii' please
That he wil done his herte & all his might
To done it for to doo hii' herte & ease 116
And preide she wolde hii^ sorwe appease
And seide I-wis we Gi^ea can) haue loye
To honoure you as wel as folke of Troye. 119
(18)
HE seide eke ^us I wote ^ai you pinke^ straunge 120
No merueyle is for it is to you new
The acqueintauns of ^es Troiaunes to chaunge
For folke of Grece ]»at ye neu^ knewe 123
But wolde neu^ god but yef as trewe .
A Greke ye shulden a-monge vs alld finde
As any Troian) is and eke as kynde 126
(19)
AKd by cause I swore Loo you right now [leat^vi, tack] 127
To be youre frende & helpe to my might
And for the more aqueintat^ns eke of you
Haue I hadde ])anne an o^er straunge wight 130
So frome ])is furth I pray you day & night
Comaundeth me hou soore ^at me smerte
To doo alle ])at may like vn to youre herte 133
237
BOOCAOCIO 8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK V.
CHAUGBR's TR0YLU8 AND CBTSK7DK, BOOK ▼. 237
(20)
ANd ye me wolde as youre brother trete
And taket& nat my firensshipe in despite
And ]ioug& your sorwes be for finges grete
I knowe not wtt^oute more respite
Mine hert hatB for to amende it gref delite
And yef I may nat youre harmes redresse
I am ri3t sory for youi' heuynesse
(21)
FOr )K>ug& ye Troiauns with vs grekes wroth
Haue many A day be alwey yet parde
One god of loue In sothe we seme botK
And for the lone of god my lady dere
Whom so ye hate be nat wrotll wtt^ me
For truely Jwi' can) noo wight yon serue
That halfe so Loth jour wreth wolde deserue
(22)
ANd nei' it ]?at we be so nigh pe tente
Of* Calcas which ^t se vs bothe may
I wolde of ]?is yoa telle alle myne entent
But )>i8 ensealled to an other day
Tef* me yom' hand I am & shalbe ay
God helpe me so while yat my lif may dui'
Touie ougne A-boue eu^ry o])er creature
134
137
140
141
144
147
148
151
154
(2.3)
THus seide I neu^r or nowe to womaii} borne
For god as wissely myne herte gladde so
I Loued neuer woman) hei' by-f ome
As paramours ne neu^ shall none moo
And for the Loue of god be nat my foo
Alle I caii) nat to you my Lady dere
Compleine a-right for I am yet to Lere
155
158
161
238
BOOOAOOIO'S FIWSTRATO, BOOK ▼.
CHAUOSR'S TBOYLUS and CRrSSTDB, BOOK ▼. 2S8
(24)
ANd merueiletB nat myn) ougne Lady bri^t OMf n] 162
Though pat I Bpeke of Loue to you ^us blyue
For I baue herde of or f\a fiifi many A wigbt
HatH loued tbing be nener ere say bis lyue 165
Ne I am nat of power for to stryue
A-yen) pe goddes of Loue but bem obey
1 wiH aH-wey & mercy I you prey 168
(25)
THei' bene so wortbi knygbtes in pk place
And ye so faire pat euerycK of bem alle
WiH peyne bem to stonde in youre grace
l)ut mygbt me so faii^ a grace befalle
Tbat ye me for your seruaunt wolde calle
So louly ne so truely you s^rue
NiH noon of bem as I sbaH titt I sterue
169
172
175
(26)
CResseid vn-to tbat purpos lit^ answerd
As sbe ])at was wtt^ sorwe oppressed soo
Tbat in effecte sbe nougbt bis tales berde
But hei* & ))ere now ber' A word or tuoo
Hire ])oug^t bir sorwef uti bert* brest in tuoo
For wban) sbe gan) hii' fadii' to espie
Wei nye doune of hii' hors sbe gan to sye
176
179
182
(27)
But natbeles sbe ])anked Diomede
Of alle bis Trauayle & bis good cbere
And pat bim liste bis frenssbipe to bede
And sbe accepte bit in good maner
And win do fayne pat is bim lefe & dei^
And truste sbe wolde & wel sbe migbt
As seid sbe & frome bii' borse sbe ligbt
183
186
189
239
BOCCACCIO S FILOSTRATO, BOOK Y.
chaucbb!s tboylus aud cbysetde^ book y. 239
(14)
1 HeT fftther received her with great welcoming.
3 She remained silent and modest
4 Her heart waa still faithful to Troilus — ^but not long to
8 continue so.
(15)
1 Troilus to Trojy sad and anguished
2 As ever man was, returned,
3 And in his face felon and iniquitous.^
5 Here dismounting,
8 He entered his chamber alone.
6 He brooked not
7 That anything should be said to him by anybody.
(16)
1 Here to the woe that he had restrained
2 He gave large place, calling on Death.
3 It was a chance that his outcries were not heard in the
4 palace.
(17)
4 His state became still worse at night.
5 He blasphemed the day that he was bom,
6 And the gods, and the goddesses, and nature.
(18)
3 He bitterly regretted not having carried off Ghryseis— or
8 else at least asked for her in marriage, and possibly
with success.
(19)
1 And, turning hmiself here and now there
2 In his bed, without finding a spot.
' << Fellone e niquitoso." I have translated literally, no as to
compare with Chaucer. " Fell and dangerous " might come nearer
to the true sense.
3 He said within himself at whiles, weeping :
• (30)
ANd ^er' his sorwe ])at he spared hadde
He yaue an issue large & deth he cried
And in hise throwes frentik & madde
He cursed loue AppoUo & eke Cupide
He cursed Cerus Bachus and eke Cipride
His birthe him-self his fate and eke nature
And saue his Lady euery creature •
(31)
TO bedde he goth and waileth )>«re^ and ttnmetil
In fury as doth ])e Ldon) in hett
And in his wise heuyer till day so soioumeth
But thoo by-ganne his herte A liteH vnswett
Thuigh tere^ whiche ^at gonnen vp weH
And pitonsly he cried vppon) Cresseide
And to him self right ^us he spake & seide
190
193
196
(28)
Hire fadir hath hii* in Armes I-nome
And twenty tymes he kiste his doughter swete
And seid O dere doughter myne wel come
She saide eke she was fayne wtt^ him to mete
And stoode furt& meuyth myld & mansuete
But hei' I leue hir^ vriih hii' fadii' duelle
And furth I witi of Troilus you telle
(29)
TO Troye is comeh) ]ns woofutt Troilus nenrm. bMdi] 197
In sorwe abouyn) all sorwes smerte
Wit^ Lyon) looke wt't^ &ce despitous
Thoo soodeinly doun) from his horse he sterte
And thurgh his palleys wtt^ A swollen) herte
To Ghaumbre he went of no \mg toke he hede
Ne nooii) to him durste speke A worde for drede
200
203
204
207
210
211
C^orjwit]
214
217
240
BOOOAOCIOS FJLOSTSATO, BOOK V.
CHAUOBB's TBOYLUS AUD CBrSEYDE, BOOK V. 240
6 '' The white breast
7 The mouth, and the eyes, and the beautiful face, did I
kiss.
4 What a night is this, having regard
5 To the past one (if I understand
6 What hour it is) I
(20)
3 ** Now I find myself alone, alas ! and weeping.
5 Now I go embracing
6 The pillow.
(21)
1 " What then shall I do, wretched, wobegone t
2 I will wait, if only I can do so."
(18)
1 He also cursed himself,
2 That he had thus let her depart.
(24)
4 *' O sweet my bHss, O my dear delight,
5 O beauteous lady to whom I gave myself ! ^
8 Oh seest thou not that I die, and thou help*st me not ]
(32)
WHere is myn ougne Lady lefe & dere
Whei* is hei^ white brest whei* is it wher*
Where lyn) hii* armes & hii* yen) cler*
That yister night ^is tyme wiiJi me wer'
Now may I wepe A-lone many a tere
And graspe A-boute I may but in pia place
Saue a pillowe I fynde nought to enbrace
(33)
HOw shal I doo whan) shaH I come A-yen)
I note alias whi lete I hii' goo
As wolde god ])at I hadde be slayn)
O herte myn Cresseide swete soo
O lady myn) ])at I loue & no moo
To whome for euer-more my herte I endowe
Se hou I dey ye niU me nat rescowe
218
221
224
225
228
281
(25)
1 " Who sees thee now, sweet lovely soul 1
2 Who sits with thee, heart of my body 1
4 '^ Who now listens to thee, who speaks with thee 1
5 Ah me, wretcheder than other ! not 1 1
(21)
1 ** But, if thus my mind desponds
2 At her departing, how
3 Can I hope to be able to endure 1
' In Boocaooio, these words form part of the speech addressed
by Troilus to Pandarus (the latter having come in, in si 22).
There seems to be something of a quaint touch of fidelity to his
original, in the transfer made by Chaucer of this and succeeding
outpourings of Troilus, from his speech to Pandarus, into his earlier
soliloquy. In st. 26 of the FUoitrato, Troilus says to Pandarus :
"As thou now hearest me, Pandarus, the like have I done all night"
Accordingly Chaucer, by thus transferring the utterances, shows us
that the forlorn lover really did the like.
(34)
WHo seeth you now my ri3t Lode^ten' pMfss] 232
Who sitte rijt now or stant in your presence
Who can) comforte now jour heites werre
Now I am gone whom) frome youi^ audiens 285
Who speketh for me ri3t now in myn Absens
Alias noo wight & pat is aH my care
For well I wote as yueli as I ye fare 238
(35)
HOw shulde I ])us x dayes ful endur' 239
Whao) I ]>e furst nyght haue aH ])is tene
How shaH she doo eke sorwefutt creatui'
For the tendimesse how shall she eke sustene 242
Such woo for me pitous pale & grene
Shalbe youi^ freissh womanly face
For longyng or ye retourne vn-to pia place 245
241
BOCOAOGIO'S FlLOSTRATOf BOOK V.
OHAUCER'S TBOYLUS and CR7SB7DE, BOOK V. 241
• (26)
4 '* Or else, if any sleep in my languishiBg
5 Has found place,^
6 I dream of fleeing,
7 Or of being alone in dreadful places,
8 Or in the hands of raging enemies.
(27)
4 ** And oftentimes a iremour seizes me,
5 Which shakes and wakens me,
2 And such panic is in my heart:
6 Love,
7 Along with Ghryseis, I call on aloud.
5 And it makes to seem
6 That I am falling from aloft downwards.
(28)
2 '* And I have pity of myself.
4 " I confess
6 That I ought still to hope for aid.
7 But the heart, which loves her,
8 Permits me not^ and ever calls on her."
' See the preceding note. This again is, in Boccaccio, what
Troiltis relates to Pandarus of his past night ; but, in Chaucer, the
events of the night are narrated directly by the poet.
(36)
ANd whan) he feH in Any slomeringes 246
A-none he shuldo be-gynne for to grone
And dreme of ])e dredfuHest ))inges
That might be as dreme he were a-lone 249
In place horrible makinge ay his mono
Or mett ]7at he was a-monge alle
His ennemyes and in-to her' handes falle 252
(37)
AKd )>er-wft^-ati his body shulde sterte 253
And with the sterte bR sodeinly A-wake
And such A tremour feH a-boute his herte
That of \>G fere his body shulde quake 256
And ))erw/tA-aH he shulde a noyse make
And seme As pough he shulde falle depe
From hie A-lofte & pan) he shulde wepe 259
(38)
ANd rewe vn himself so pitously 260
That meruaile was to here his fantesie
Another tyme he shulde roightly
Comforte him self & sey it was foly 263
So causeles suche drede for-drye
And efte begynne his Aspre peynes newe
That euery man) might vn his sorwes rewe 266
(39)
WHoo coude telle a ri^t or fuH descriue [iMrn,back] 267
His woo his pleint* his Langour* & his pyne
Not aUe the men ))at haue or ben A lyue
Thou redei* maist J)i self* fulle wel deuyne 270
That suche A woo my witte ne can) diffine
Vn ydelt for to write it shulde y swynke
Whan) \>ai my witte is wery on hit to finke 273
TBOTLUa.
81
242
BOOCACOIO'S fILOSTBATO, BOOK V.
CHAU0EB*8 TROYLUS AND OMTSXTDHt^ BOOK Y. 242
(22)
3 He soon had him [Pandarus] called.
1 Pandaros had not been able in the day to go
2 To him, nor [could] any one else.
6 And well could he gueas
7 What he [Troilus] had done that night,
8 And also what he wanted.
(23)
1 " O my Pandarus ! " said Troilus.
(40)
ON heuene yet ]>e stenes wei* ysen)
Al-])ough fuH pale y waxen) was ])e mone
And whiten) gau) fe Onsent shene
All Estwarde as hit wonte is to done
And Phebus wit^ his rosy chai' sone
Gan) after ])at to dresse him vp to fax*
Whan) Troilus hath sent After Pandai^
THis Pandai' ])at of alle pe day be-fome
Ne might haue come Troilus to see
Afi-])ough in his hed he had it swome
For wtt^ the king Priam aH day was he
So that it lay nott in his liberte
Nowei' to goo but oh) ])e morwe he went
To Troilus whan) fat he for him sent
(42)
FOr in his herte he coude wel devyne
That Troilus aH night for sorwe woke
And ))at he wolde teU^ hym of his pyne
This knew he wel I-nowh wilA-oufcen booke
For which to Chambre streyte p* wey he toke
And Troilus ])oo sobirly he giet
And yn pe bedde f ul sone he gao) him sett
(43)
MY Pandarus quod Troilus pe sorwe
Which ])at I drye I may no lenger endui'
I trowe I shall nat lyue tiH to-morwe
For which I wolde alwey on auentui*
To deuise on my sepulture
The f Off rme & on my moeble pou, dispone
Right as pe semyth beste is to done
274
277
280
281
284
287
288
291
294
295
298
301
S43
BOO0A00IO*8 FILOSTRATO, BOOK ▼•
GHAUaBB*8 TBOYLUS AND CRTSBYDE^ BOOK Y. 243
(29)
4 He said : "Pray tell me, TtoiloB.
(44)
But of the fire and flawme funeraii QMf mj
In whicli my body brenne shati: to golde
And of the f este and pleies palestiatt
At my vigile I prey ])e take good hed
That )>at be wel & ofEre Marce my sted
My awercl myn hebne & leue bro))er dei^
My shelde to Pallas yif \a\, shineth clei'
(46)
THe poudei' in which myid herte brent ahal tume
That prey I ])e ))ou take & hit construe
In A vessel ])at men clepe an vme
Of golde & to my Lady )>at I serue
For lone of whom \wb pitously I sterue
So yeue hit hii' & do me ])i8 pleasauns
To prey hii^ kepe hit for A remembratms
(46)
POr I wel fele by my malady
And by my dremes now & yooi^ a-goo
That certeyh) ])at I must nedLs dey
The Oule eke whicli \ai hete eschaphilo
Hath after me shright aH y&& nv^ics tuoo
And god mercurye of me woofutt wreche
The soule guide & whan) )>e lest it feche
(47)
PAndaxe Answerde & seide Troilus
My dere frende as I haue told ])e yore
That it is A folye for to sorwe ])UB
And causeles for whicli I can) no more
For who so wil nat trowe rede no lore
I can) nat se in him no remedye
But let him worth viiHi his fantasie
302
305
308
309
312
315
316
319
322
323
326
329
244
BOOOACGIO'S FILOSTRATOf BOOK Y.
ohauobb's tsoylus and cryseyde^ book y. 244
6 " ThinVst thou not that the amorous stroke
7 Was ever felt by others than thyself,
8 Or that others have liad to go through a parting 1
(30)
1 Verily there are others as much in love
2 As thou art, by Pallas I swear to thee.
5 And yet they did not wholly give themselves up,
6 As thou dost, to so wretched a life.
(29)
5 " This melancholy is to have an end.^
' This line oconrs in a somewhat different connexion in Boccac-
010, and the phrase is put hypothetically, " ^ this melancholy," &o.
(48)
But Troilus I pray ]>e telle me now 330
Yef fat }poVL trowe or fis fat any wig&t
Hath loued paramoui^ as wel as fou
Ye god wote frome many A worfi knyght 333
Hath his I^dy gone A fourtenyght
And he nat yet made haluendel ]>e fare
What nede is pis fe to make alle fis care 336
(49)
Sythe day be day thou maist fin seluen see aM'^M^bfteki 337
That frome his loue or ellis frome his wif*
A man) mote departe of necessite
Ye fough he loue hif as his oogne lifF 340
Yet nyH he wzt/i him self make strif*
For wel fou woste my leue brother dere
That alwey frendes may nat ben in fere 343
(50)
HOw done thes folkes fat sene hir' loues wedded
By frendes might as it be-tidde ful ofte
And sene hem in hei^ spouses bedde ybedded
God wote f ei take it wisely faire & softe
For whi good hope halte vp hii* herte^ on lofte
And for f ei can) a tyme of sorwe endure
As time hem hurt tyme doth hem cure
344
347
350
(31)
1 " And thou ought'st to do the like.
4 '' This is not so long a sojourning.
2 Thou say'st that she hath by the tenth day
3 Promised thee to return hither.
(51)
SO shuldest f ou endur* & let slyde
The tyme & fonde to be gladde & light
X dayes nys so longe to A-byde
And sith she to f e come aryen) hath bight
She niU hii' beheste broke for no wight
For-drede f e nat fat she niti fynde wey
To come a-yen my lif* fat durste y ley
351
354
357
245
BOCGAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO^ BOOK Y.
CHAUOER'S TBOYLUS and CB7SS7DB, BOOK V. 245
(32)
1 '^ Chase away dreams and panics :
2 Let them go to what they are — ^the winds.
3 They proceed from melancholia.
8 " They make neither much nor little to the future.
6 Dreams and auguries, which silly people
7 Look to, are not worth a bean.
4 '* And they make thee see that wliich thou dreadest.
(52)
THl sweuenes eke and sSi. ]>i fantesie 358
Driue out & bett hem fare to mischauns
For pi precede malencolie
That doth the fele in slepe all ))is penauns 361
A strawe for alle sweuenys significauns
God helpe me soo I counte hem natt at a bene
Ther wote no man) a-ri^t what dremes mene 364
(53)
FOr preste^ of )>e temple telle pia 365
rhat Dremes bene the reuelaciouns
Of Goddes and aswel pel telle I-wisse
That pel bene infematt illusions 368
And leches seyne pat of complexions
Frocedeii) pei or faste or of glotenye
Who wote in soth pvm what ])ei signifie 371
(54)
EKe other sey that sorwe impressions [laaf 96] 372
As yef A wight hath faste a pinge in mynde
That perof* come such A-visions
And other seyne as ))ei [in] bokis fynde 375
That After tymes of pe yei* by kynde
Men dreme & pat pe effect goth by )>e mone
But leue no dreme for it is nat to done 378
(55)
WEtt worth of dremes ay these olde wiffe«
And truely eke Augurrye of pe& foules
For fei' of which men wene lese hir' USe8
As Eauenes qualme or shrikyng of pea oulcs
To trowe on it bothe false Ss foule is
Alias alias so noble a creatui^
As is man) shaH drede such ordui'
379
382
385
246
BOGGACdO'a FIUOSTEATOy BOOK Y.
ohauoxb's Tsorius and crysbtde, book v. '246
(33)
1 " Then, for God's sake, pardon thyself J
4 " Else up, ligliten thy thoughts ;
' '' A te Btesao perdona." *' Spare thyself *' would be the more
idiomatio English equivalent (though less energetic) : but would
not compare so closely with Chaucer's line.
' Chaucer's " not hennes but a myle " has no equivalent in the
present line of the Filogtrato: but in st 40 we are told that TroiluB
and Pundarus arrived at Sarpedon's lodgment ^ after perhaps four
thousand paces." 8arpedon had been taken prisoner along with
Antenor {Troylus, B. 4, st. 8) ; and neither Boccaccio nor Chaucer
tells us how he had already got back to Troy.
5 ** And talk with me of past pleasures,
6 And to the future ones address thy lofty souly
7 For they will very shortly return :
8 Then take comfort, having good hope.
(66)
FOr whiche with aH myne hert I p* beseche
Vn-to ]>in self \>&t )>ou aH pis for-yeue
A-rise now vp wtt/i-oute more speche
And lete caste hou furth may be dreue
This tyme & eke hou freisshly we may leue
Whan) pat she conith ])e which shalbe ri3t sone
God helpe me so pe beste is pus to done
(57)
BIse lete vs speke of Lusty liff in Tioye
That we haue ledde and furth pe tyme drive
And eke of Tyme comyng vs reioye
That bringe shal our' blisse now so blyue
And langot^r of pes twies dayes fyue
We shat peryrith so for-yete oure oppresse
That weH vnnethe vs done shatt duresse
386
389
392
393
396
399
(34)
1 " This city is great and delightsome ;
2 And now it is in truce, as thou knowest.
3 Let us go to some pleasant part.
(38)
2 " Let us go to Sarpedon.*
(34)
5 ** And thy distressful
6 Life thou wilt spend along with him,
7 Till the term passes which the beautiful lady haa fixed,
8 Who has wounded thy heart.
(35)
1 " Pray do this, I implore thee : rise up !
2 It is not a magnanimous act to sorrow
3 As thou dost, and to be still lying fiat.
6 " And people would say that thou for the adverse times,
7 Like a coward, and not for love, art weeping,
8 Or that thou feignest to be sick."
(58)
THis towne is futi of Lordes al Aboute
And trewes lasten al pla meane while
Goo we pley vs in somme lusty route
To Serpedou) nat hens but A myle
And ])us ]k)u shalte pQ tyme wett beguile
And dryue it furth vnto pat blisful morwe
That ])ou hii' see pat cause is of pi sorwe
(69)
[leafOSkbttck]
HOw rise my dere brother Troilus
For certes it noii) honour is to the
To wepe and in thi bedde to louke thus
For truely of oo thing truste me
Yef povL lye pus A day tuoo or thre
The folke wil sey pat pou for Couardise
The feynest sike And pat pou darste nat Arise
400
403
406
407
410
413
247
BOCOACOIO'S FJLOSTBATO, BOOK ▼.
OHAUOEB's TB07LVS AND CR7SETDE, BOOK Y. 247
(36)
2 '' Nor can he know it who has not experienced it
1 Alas ! he who loves much weeps greatly.
4 '' Therefore I ought not to he hlamed
5 If I never did anything else hut weep.
3 What that hhss is which I have let go^
* By looking at the nnmbering of these lines of the IHoitrata,
the reader will see the true sequence of this expression.
6 *' But since thou, friend, hast prayed me,
7 I will comfort myself to the hest of my power.
(37)
1 '* May God soon send me the tenth day I
1^ Never was rose in sweet spring
5 So heautiful as I am disposed to return
6 When I shall see the fresh cheer
7 Of that lady returned to Troy,
8 Who is to me the cause of torment and woe.
(38)
1 " But whither can we go for pastime,
2 Asthousay'st)^
3 ' Yet how can I stay there, haunted hy the notion that
poesihly Ghryseis may have returned meanwhile, and
I not to know it 1 ' PaDdarus replies : ' I wiU leave
some one to attend to that sole matter, and to give us
notice if anything happens.'
(40)
3 They arrived where Saipedon was.
(41)
1 This man, as he who was of high heart
2 More than others in everything,
6 [Honoured them] always with sumptuous
7 urandeur of hanquets, such & so many
' Next oomes the phrase '* Let us go to Sarpedon," already
extracted on p. 97. These words appear, in the FUattrato, to be
spoken by Troilos, not Fandaros.
8 That their equal had never heen held in Troy,
(60)
THis Troilus answerd brother mjm)
This knowen) folke ])at haue suf&ed pyne
That povLgU he wepe & make sorweful chei'
That felit£ harme & smerte in euery veyne
No merueyle is and J)ou3 I euer pleyne
Or aUewey wepe I am no ])ing to blame
Sitb I haue lost the cause of alle my game
(61)
But sith of fyne force I mote a-rise
I shall arrise as sone as euer I may
And God to whoni) my herte I sacrifise
So sende vs hastely pe x day
For was fef neuer foule so fayne of may
As I shalbe whan) she coml£ in to Troye
That cause is of my turment Ss myn) loye
(62)
But whedir is ])ine counseili quod Troil?M
That we may pley vs best in all ^is toun)
Be god my counseiH is quod Pandarus
To ride & pleye vs with king Serpedoun)
So longe of ])is j^ei speken) vp and doune
TiH Troilus gaii) at pQ laste assent
To rise Ss furihe to Serpedoun) ])ei went
(63)
THIb Serpedoun) as he ^at honorable
Was euer his li£f< & f uH of hie largesse
WitJi aH that might be serued on table
That deynte was aH costs it gret richesse
He fedde hem day be day fat such noblesse
As seiden bo])e pe most & eke pe leste
Was neuer or ^at day wiste at any feste.
414
417
420
421
424
427
4-28
431
434
435
438
441
248
Boccaccio's filostrato, book v.
CHAUCEB's TROYLUS and CBY3B7DSy BOOK ▼. 248
6 With songs and music,—
4 Now with graceful feast
5 Of ladies beautiful and of high rank.
(42)
1 But what availed these things to the loving
2 Troilus, who had not his heart upon them 1
3 He was there whither often the desire
4 Formed in his thought drew him ;
5 And Chryseis, as his god,
6 He alway saw with the eyes of his mind, —
7 Imagining now one thing now another.
(43)
1 Every other lady was painful to him to see.
3 Every pastime, every sweet song,
4 Was troublous to him, not seeing her
5 In whose hands Love had placed the key
6 Of his piteous life.
(44)
1 And there passed not evening nor morning
2 That he cried not with sighs,
3 " beautiful light ! "
6 Calling her that she should salute him.
(64)
NE in this worlde )>ere nys non) Instrument
Delicious ]7urgh wynde or touche of corde
As f erre as any wight hath euer went
That tunge telle or hert may recorde
That at ])e feste it nas weH herde accorde
Ne of Ladies eke so faire A Cumpanie
On dauns or thoo nas neuer sene with ye
(65)
But what auaileth ])is to Troilus
That for his sorwe noo ])inge of pat rought
For euer in oone is his herte pitous
FuH besily Cresseide his Lady sought
On hir' was euer ail pat his herte pought
"Now pis now pat so faste ymagening
That comforte I-wisse can) him noon ping
(66)
THes ladies eke pat at pia feste bene
Sithe pat he saugh his Lady was A-wey
It was his sorwe vpon) hem to sene
Or for to hex* an instrument so pley
For she pat of his herte kepith pe key
Was Absent Lo pis was his fantesie
That* no wight shulde make melodie
(67)
NE thei* hour* in aH pe day or night
Whan) he was thei* as no man) might him hei*
That he ne seide Louesom) Lady bright
How haue ye farerO sithe pat ye wei* here
Wei come I-wisse myn ougne Lady dere
But welawey aH pis nas but a mase
Fortune his ougne entendeth bette to glase
PMf96] 442
445
448
449
452
455
456
459
462
463
466
469
249
BOCOAOCIO'S FILOSTRATOf BOOK V.
Chaucer's troylus aud cRYSBrDEf book ▼. 249
(45)
6 The letters sent to him by her
7 He turned over full a hundred times a daj.^
(46)
1 They had not stayed there three days
2 When Troilus began to say to Pandarus :
3 '* What are we doing here any longer ? Are we tied down
4 That we must here live and dief
5 Do we wait to be shown out ? '
6 To tell thee the truth, I should like to go.
7 Oh for God's sake let us be off ! £nough have we been
8 With Sarpedon, and well received."
(47)
1 Then Pandarus : '* Now did we for fire
2 Come hither)
5 Whither now wilt thou go, and to what place
6 In which thou canst make a cheerfuller stay 1
4 " To go away now would seem a slight.
^ The next exquisite line of Chancer
*' Kefigurynge hire shape, hire wommanhede,
99
differs from Boocaocio's
** Tsnto di rivederle gli piaoea " —
i.e» "so much did he like to re-see them [the letters].** But I
snspeot that Chaucer got his line out of Boccaccio, through mis*
reading ** riYeder2a " (" to re-see her ") instead of " rivederfo."
* ** Acoomiatati " — dismissed with a goodbye : exactly cor-
responding to Chaucer*s " forth congeyen."
7 " Do let us remain two days yet : then yre will go."
TROTLUS. 82
(68)
THe lettreB eke pat she of olde tyme
Hadde him sent he wolde allone rede
An hundred sithes betwixe none and prime
Defiguring hii' shappc hii' womanhede
Wtt^in his herte & eu^ worde Ss dede
That passed was & pua he draff to an ende
The first day & seide he wolde wende
(69)
ANd seid Leff Brother Pandarus cimt 96^
Entendest thou fai we shdi her' be-leue
Til Serpedoun) will furdi conueien) vs
Yet wer* it fkirei^ fat we toke our* Leue
For Groddes Loue lete vs sone at eue
Oure Leue take & homward lete vs tt/me
For truely I wil nat ])us hei' soioume
(70)
PAndai' answerd be we comer) hider
To feche fire & renne home a-yen)
God helpe me soo I can) nat telle wheder
We might gone yef I shaH sothely seyn)
Thei' any wight is of vs more fayne
Than) Serpedon) & we hens hie
Thus sodeinly I holde it vilanye
(71)
Sythe we seide fat we wolde beleue
Witil him A wooke & now fua sodeinly
The first day to take of him oure leue
He wolde wondre on it truely
Lete vs holde oure purpose fermelie
And sithen) pat ye highton) him to Abide
Holde forward now & after leto vs ride
470
473
476
477
480
483
484
487
490
491
494
497
250
BOG0AGCI0 8 FJUOSTRATO, BOOK V.
CHAUOBB'S TBOTLU8 AUD CB7SBYDS, BOOK V. 250
(48)
1 Although Troilns stayed against his will,
2 Still he remained in his wonted thoughts.
4 But, taking leave after the fifth day,
6 They returned to their homes, —
7 Troilus saying on the road : " O God !
8 Shall I find my love returned)"
(49)
1 Bat Pandarus said within himself otherwise :
4 *^ This thy longing, so fiery and fierce,
5 May hap to cool : *'
2 As he who knew entire
3 The intention of Galchas at fulL
(50)
1 When they had returned home,
2 They both entered a chamber together.
4 And they talked much of Chryseis
7 Troilus saying : " Let us go, & so we shall see
8 The house at least, since we can no more."
(72)
THus Pandarus with alle peyne & woo 498
Made hym to duelle and at fe wook^^ ende
Of Serpedouii) ))ei toke hii' leue thoo
And on hii^ wey / pei spedde hem to wende 501
Quod Troilus now god me grace sonde
That I may finde at my home comyng
Cresseide comen & ferwith gan) he sing 504
(73)
TE hasett wode ]K)ught ])is Pandai^ 505
And to him self f uH sobrely he seide
God wote refroyden) gan) J^is bote fare
Or Calcas sende Troilus Cresseide 508
But natheles laped he ])us & pleyde
And swore I-wisse his herte him wel be-higfit
She wolde com as sone as euer she miglit 511
(74)
WHan) thei vnto the Paleis were y^comen) n«fcn 512
Of Troilus fei doune of horse light
And to the Chambre here wey hane y^ nomeiO
And vn-to tyme pot it ganne to nighte 515
They spake of Cresseide the bright
And after ])is whan) fat hem bothe leste
Thei spedde hem from the soper vnto reste 518
(75)
ON morwe assone as day by-gan) to clere 519
This Troilus be-gah) of his slepe to Abreide
And to Pandai' his ougne broj^ei' dei'
For loue god fuH pitously he seide 522
As goo we see the Paleis of Cresseide
For sithe we may haue no more feste
Yett lete ys goo se hii^ Paleis at fe leste 525
251
BOOOAOOIO 8 FILOSTRATOf BOOK V.
CHAUOKR'S TB0YLU8 AND CRTSSTDE, BOOK V. 251
(61)
4 And he feigned various cauBes with the others
5 That were with him.
(52)
1 It seemed to him that his heart was bursting,
2 When he had seen the door locked up.
3 And the windows.
6 And in his face all changed
7 He would have given manifest sign hereof
8 To any one who might at onoe have looked on him.
(63)
8 Then he said :
3 '' Alas ! how luminous
4 And delightful was the place !
7 Kow, without her, thou remainest dark I
8 Nor know I whether thou art ever to have her again."
(76)
ANd y&iMilhB& his meyne for to blende 526
A cause he fonde in town) for to goo
And to Cresseides house pei gan) to wende
Bat Lord pis sely Troilus was woo 529
He ]K)U}t his sorwefut herte berste on tuoo
For whan) he saugh hir' doors^ spered alio
Wil nye for sorwe a doune he gan) to fialle 532
(77)
THere-wit^ whan) he was wai' and gan) beholde 538
How shitt was euery wyndowe of the place
As firsts him ]K>u}t his herte gan) to colde
For wtt/i chaunged duH & pale face 536
Wtt^-outes) worde he furth by-gaii) to pace
And as god wolde he gan) so f aste ride
That no wi;t of his countenans eepide 539
(78)
THaD) seide he ]ms O Paleis desolate 540
O house of houses whilom best yhiglit
O Paleis empty & disconsolate
lanteme of whicti queint is )^ liglit 548
O Paleis whilome day pat now art niglit
Well oughtest pou to fall^ & I to dye
Situ she is went pat wonte was vs to guie 546
(79)
Paleis whilom) Knowei)) of House?} AH (i«af97,taok] 547
Enlumined wit^ sonne of AUd blisse
O ring &ome which pe ruby is oute fisdS
O cause of woo pat cause hast bene of hisse 550
Yett sithe I may noo bett fayne wolde I kisse
Thy colde doores durste I for ])is route
And fjEirewel shryne of whiche pe seinf is out 553
252
BOOOAOCIOS FILOSTRATOf BOOK V.
CHAUOBB's TBOYLUS and CRY8EYDE, BOOK T. 252
1 Then to FandaruB^ as he best could, sorrowful
2 He spoke of his new^ anguish.
(54)
1 Hence he went riding through Troy,
2 And every place brought her back to his mind.
(66)
1 '* There she stood when she took me
2 With love, by her beautiful and charming eyes.
(64)
4 '^ Here I saw her laugh joyously ;
7 Here in high spirits
6 " Here she saluted me graciously.
' " Sua naova angoflcia." Here <* nuova " (new) means most pro-
bably — as it frequently does in old Italian — ** unprecedented, strange,
extreme : ** but Chauoer takes the epithet literally, and speaks of
" His newe sorwe, ^ ek hit joy €$ oldeJ*
8 '' Here I saw her pitiful to my sighs."
(80)
THe^wttA he caste on Pandarus his yee
Wi\h chaunged face & pitous to beholde
And whan) he myght his tyme a-ri3t espie
Ay as he rode to Pandarus he tolde
His newe sorwe & eke his loyes olde
So pitously & wit^ so dede an hewe
That eu^ry wight myght on his sorwe rewe
(81)
FItome thens-furt£ he rideth vp & douu)
And eu07y )>ing come him to remembratms
As he roode so by ])e Paleis in ]>e Toune
In which he had whilom att his plesauns
Lo yendei' saugh I laste my Lady dauns
And in J>at temple wit^ hii' yeu) clere
Me caught first my ri3t Lady dare
(82)
ANd yondei' haue I herde full lustilye
My dere herte laught & yonder pley
Saugh I here oones eke full blisfully
And yendei' oones to me ganu) she sey
Now good swete Loue me well I prey
And yonder so goodly ganne she me byholde
That to ])e deth myn herte is to hir holde
(83)
ANd at |)e comer in ])e yonder house
Herde I myn alderleuest lady dere
So womanly witA voyce melodyous
Sing so wel so goodly <& so clere
That in my sowle me ^inket^ I it here
The blisful soune <& in ])e yonder place
My lady firste me receyued vnto hire grace
554
557
560
561
564
567
568
671
574
575
578
581
253
BOOCAOCIO*S FILOSTRATO, BOOK V.
CHAUCBB's TBOYWa AND CRYaSYDS, BOOK Y. 255
(56)
1 Then, thinking this, he proceeded :
2 " Love !
4 Well does memory repeat to me the tmth of iV
2 Long hast thou made the story of me.
6 Full a thousand signs of thy victory
7 Do I discern, which thou hast had trimnphal
8 Over me, who once jeered every lover^
(67)
1 ** Well hast thou avenged thine im'aring,
2 Lord potent & greatly to be feared !
3 But, since the soul has set itself to serve thee
4 Wholly, as thou mayst clearly see,
5 Let it not die disconsolate.
8 " So that she may return, to put an end to my woes.
7 '* Strain Ghryseis as thou doet me."
' See the Prefatory Bemarks, p. 11, for the true sequence of
this line.
1 He would sometimes go up on the gate
2 By which his lady had issued.
3 ** Hence issued she who comforts me !
(84)
THanne ])ou3t He ])us bUsfufi Lorde Cupide [iMfiq 583
Whan) J)e proces I haue in my memorye
How j>ou hast me weryhed euery side
Men mijt A boue make of it like A story 585
What nede ia the to soke on me victorie
Sith I am ])in & hooly at ])in wiH
What loye hast pon ]>in ougne folk to spille 588
(86)
yi±21 hast ]k>u Lorde y-venged on me p^ Ire
Thou mijty God & dredfiifi for to greue
Now mercy Lord ])ou wost wel I desire
Thi grace moste of Alle Lustes leue
And lyue & die I wiH in ])ine be-leue
For which I ne Axe in guerdon) but A bone
That ])ou Cresseide a-yen) me sende sone
(86)
DIstreyne hii' herte as fiftst to retume
As pon hast myn) to longen hir' to se
That wote I wel pat she nili nat soioume
Now bHsfuH Lorde so crueH pou ne be
Vnto fe blood of* Troye I pray pe
As loue was vnto ^e blode Thebane
For which folke of Thebes caught hii' bane
(87)
ANd aftir ]>iB he to ]>e ysies went
Thei' as Cresseid oute roode A fuH good pace
And vp Ss doune pei^ made he many a went
And to him self ful ofte he seide alias
From hens rode my blisse & my solas
And wolde blisfui god now for his loy
I might hei' se come A-yen in to Troy
589
592
595
596
599
603
603
606
609
254
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK Y.
OHAUOER's TB07LUS AND CRYSSYDS, BOOK Y. 254
5 " Up to that plaoe I esooried her ;
6 And here I parted from her.
(69)
5 "Oh! shall I see thee
6 Ever return, with thj lovely ways,
7 To rejoice mel''
(60)
1 And it seemed, even to himBelf, that in &ce
2 He was less coloured than his wont ;
3 And for this he hftd a fancy
4 That he was sometimes pointed out with finger,
5 As if people were saying : '* Why so quelled
6 And so bewildered has Troilns become ) ''
7 It was not they who pointed him out ;
8 But he suspects who knows the thing true.
(61)
1 Wherefore it pleased him to show in verse
2 Who was the cause of it.
4 Giving as it were some respite to his sorrow.
6 With low voice he went singing.
(88)
ANd to ^e yondei' hitt I gan) hii' guide
Alias Ss ])6i^ I toke of* hii' myn) Leue
And yender I saugK hii* to hii' f adir ride
For sorwe of whic& myn herte wifi to-cleue
And hedir home I come whan) it was eue
And hei^ I duello oute caste from) alls loye
And shal til! I may ae hii' efte in Troye
(89)
ANd of him self ymagined He ofte
To be deffet & pale & waze lesse
Than) he was wonte & fat men seide softe
What may it be who can) the sothe gesae
Whi Troilus hath alle ^is heuynes
And afi ])is nas but his malencoHe
That he hadde of him self^ suche A £GUQtasie
(90)
AN o])er tyme ymagynyn) he wolde
That euary wight fat went by fe weye
Hadde of him routh & fat fei shulde
I am right soiy Troylus witi dey
And ]nis he droff a day yett forth or tweye
As ye haue herd ri^t such A lif* gan) he lede
As he that stode betweh) hope & drede
(91)
FOr which him lyked in hia aonges shewe
The entenciof/n of his woo as he best might
And made A songe of wordes but A fewe
Somwhat his woofuH herte for to light
And whan) he was from euary manoes aigtlt
WiiJi lofte voice he of* his Lady dere
That Absent was ganne syng as ye may hei'
ClatfflBibMk]
610
613
616
617
620
623
624
627
630
631
634
637
255
BOOCAOGIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK V.
GHAUCBR'B TROTLUS JLND CRTSRTDSf BOOK V. 265
(62)
1 " The sweet sight and the beautiful soft glance
2 Of the most beautiful eyes that ever weie seen,
3 Which I have lost, make seem so heavy
4 My life that I go heaving groans.
7 I have longings for death. "^
8 * Love I Why didst thou not kill me from the first 1
Let me die now, so that my disembodied soul may fly
into the arms of my Chiyseis 1 '
(67)
1 When he had thus said in song,
2 He returned to his old sighing.
(69)
4 Wherefore he often said to himself :
5 ** When this [moon] shall have become,
6 With her new horns, such as she appeared
7 When our lady depajrted,
8 Then shall my soul be returned hither."
(92) {Troilug'a Lament for Oresseida.)
Sterre of which I loste haue al ])e light
Wtt^ herte son) well ought I to be-waile
That euer derke in turment nyght Ss nyght
Toward my detti with wynde & stei' I sayle
For whiche fe tenthe nyght yef ]>at I faile
The guiding of ]>i bright hemes an houre
My shipe & me Caribdis will deuoure
(93)
THis songe whan) he )ms sungen) had sone
He fen A-yen vnto his sikes olde
And euery nyght as was he wonte to done
He stode ])e bright mone to beholde
And alle his sorwe he to )>e mone tolde
And seide I-wisse whan) ])0U art homed newe
1 shalbe glad yef alld ]>e worlde be true
638
641
644
645
648
651
1 The old moon was already homed
2 At the departure of Chryseis ; and he,
3 Leaving her house, had seen it in the morning.
(68)
1 The days long, and the nights longer,
2 Appeared to him beyond the wonted mode.
5 He said : '* The sun has entered into new errors.''
' " Diaii portb di morte "— i. e. « io porto diaii di morte.*' From
the peculiar nautical tarn whioh Chaucer gives to his phrase, I
think it pretty dear he had misunderstood Boccaccio, and supposed
him to say " io dmo porto di morte " sa <• I desire the port (or
harbour) of death."
(94)
I Saugh l^ine Homes olde by fe morowe DMf »] 652
Whan) )>at frome hens rode my right Lady dere
the cause is of my torment Ss sorwe
For which bright Latona ])e clere 655
For Loue of god renne faste abonte y spere
For whaii) pm homes new gynnyii) spring
Than) shaH ye come ])at may my blisse bring 658
(96)
THe day is more & lenger euery night 659
Than) ])ei were wonte to be him {^ou^t ]K>f i
And eke fat ))e sonne wente his course vnii^t
By lenger wey ]>ah) it was wonte to goo 662
And seide Iwisse me dredeth euer moo
The sonnes sone Phitoh) be yett on lyue
And ]>at his fadres carte amys he dryu^ 665
\.
256
BOCOACOIO S FILOSTRATOf BOOK Y.
ghaucbb's troylus and cryseydk, book V. 256
(70)
1 He gazed on the tented Greeks —
7 Baying often :
8 " Or here or there is my lovely lady.*'
4 And that which blown
5 He felt in his face, he used to give himself to believe
that it was like
6 Sighs sent him by Chryseis.
(71)
1 In such wise, and in many other wap,
2 He passed the time, sighing.
3 And with him was for ever Pandaras,
4 Who often encouraged him to do this :
5 And into converse cheerful and gay
6 He sought to draw him, to the best of his power,-
7 Owing him always good hope
8 Of his charming and excellent love.
(1)
1 On the other side, on the shore of the sea,
2 With few women, among the armed men,
3 Was Chryseis.
(6)
4 " Wherefore my heart is beggared of joy,
5 And for comfort I in vain ask for death.
3 I fled the bad, and followed after the worse."
(96)
Vppoh) J)e walles faste eke wolde he walke 666
And on pe Grekes ofte a wold a sec
And to him self right )>us he wolde talke
Lo yender is myn ougne Lady fre 669
Or elles yender f er f e tent^^ be
And thens comth ]>is eii' ]>at is so swote
That in my sowle I fele it doth me bote 672
(97)
ANd hardely fis wynde fat more & more 673
Thus stoundemele encreaseth in my face
Is of my Lady depe sikes soore
I preue it fus for in noon) ofer space 676
Of aH ])is town) saue onely in ])is place
Fele I no wynde ))at souneth so lyke peyne
It seith aDas whi twynned be we tweyne 679
(98)
THis long tyme he dryueth forth rijt Jras 680
TiH fuUy passed was J)e ix**** night
And ay beside was ])is Pandarus
That besily dede ati his ful might 683
Him to comforte & make his herte light
Yeuyng him hope alwey J)e x*** morwe
That she shal come & stynte alle his sorwe 686
(99)
Vppon fat other side eke was Cresseide [ieaf9»,i*A] 687
With women fewe armonge f e Grekes stronge
For which full ofte A day alias she seide
That 1 was borne wel may myn herte Longe 690
After my deth for nowe lyue I to Longe
Alias I ne may it nat amende
For now is worse J>an) ewer yet I wende 693
25T
BOUOAOOIO'S FIL08TRAT0, BOOK T.
ohaugeb's tboylus and cbyseyde, book y. 257
BookVL (1)
6 Her freeh and delicate cheeks
7 Had become pallid and thin.
3 And in bitter tears
4 The nights were consumed by her.
(2)
1 She wept, murmnring to herself
2 The once-passed pleasure with Troilus.
4 And the whole of the words
5 She went recollecting all to herself.
(100)
MI fader wiH for no ])inge do me grace
To gone a-yen for aught I can) hym queme
And yef so be fat I my tenne pace
My Troilus shal in his herte deme
That I am false & so it may wel seme
Thus shall I haue vn-thanke on euery side
That I was borne so welawey the tide
(101)
ANd yef* pat I me put in leopardie
To stele a-wey be night & it be-falle
That I be caught I shalbe holden espie
Or ellis Lo this drede I moost of bR
Yef in the handes of somme wrech I faH
I nam but lost albe myn herte trewe «
Kow al-mighty god )>ou on my sorwe rewe
(102)
Fufi pale waxen) was hir bright face
Hir lemes lene as she pat aH )>e day
Stode whan) she durst & loked on ^e place
Thei^ she was borne & pei^ she duellid ay
And afi pe night weping Alias she lay
And ])us despeired oute of alia cure
She ladde hii* lif< pia woofuH creature
(103)
FuH ofte a day she sihed eke for distresse
And in hii' sowle she went ay portering
Of Troilus ]>e grete worthinesse
And aE his goodly wordis according
Sith first pat day hii' loue be-gan) to spring
And )>us she sett hii* woof uH herte a fire
Thuigh remembrat^ns of pat she gan) desire
694
697
700
701
704
707
708
711
714
715
718
721
TBOTLUS.
83
258
Boccaccio's FiLOSTiufo, book yi
OHAUOEB's TB07LU8 AND CBYSKTDB, BOOK V. 55^
(3)
1 Not would any one have been so pitiless
2 That, hearing her plain sorrowfully,
3 He could have forborne weeping with her.
4 She wept se bitterly :
7 And what wrought her the worst of all
8 Was that she had no one to mourn with.
(*)
1 She looked on the walls of Troy,
2 On the palaces^ towers, and fortresses,
3 And said to herself : " Ah me ! how much joy,
4 How much pleasure, and how much sweetness,
5 Had I once within there ! And now in sad annoy. ^
7 Ah me, my Troiltis ! what dost thou now 1
8 Is there yet in thee any memory of me i
(5)
1 '* Ah woe is me ! now had I but consented to thee,
2 And we both would have gone together !
4 For now these pains would not be felt
5 By me.
7 And who would afterwards have spoken ill of me
8 For having gone away with such a man as he ?
(6)
1 '' Ah, woe is me ! late do I discern . . .
' The next line in Boocaooio nins — '* I here consume my dear
beanties ; " giving the speech a new turn, which Chaucer does not
follow.
(104)
IN AH this worlde J)er nys so crueH herte D«tf loo] 722
That hii* had herd compleyne in hir sorwe
That nold haue wepte for hir* peynes smerte
So tendirly she wepte bothe eue & morwe
Hir* neded no teris for to borwe
And J)is was yett J>e werst of aH hii' peyne
Ther was no wight to whom she durst compleine
(105)
Puti ruefully she loked vppon Troye
Byhelde pe towres hie & eke pe halles
Alias quo& she pe pleasauns & pe loye
The which pat now turned in-to galles
Haue I hadde ofte w^t^-Inne yondei' walles
Troilus what doste pon now she seide
Lord whe])ir ])ou ])inkist yet vppon Gresseide
(106)
Alias I me hadde trowed on your Lore
And went with you as ye me radde or p^
Than) had I now nat siked half* so score
Who might haue seide )>at I had done amya
To stele a-wey vritJi such oon as he Is
But al to late comth pe letuarie
Whan) men pQ corps vnto graue carie
(107)
TO late is now to speke of pat matei'
Prudens alias oon of ])ine yen) three
Me lakked alwey or pat I come hei*
One tyme passed wel remembred me
And present tyme eke coude I weH see
But future tyme or I was in pe snare
Coude I nat se ^at causeth now my care
725
728
729
732
736
736
739
742
713
746
749
259
BOOOACOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK Y.
Chaucer's tsoylus and CRYSETDSy book v. 259
(7)
1 'f But I will do my utmost to flee hence,
3 'f And letum to thee.
7 I had rather that
8 Whoever chooses should be able to speak and bark
about this."
(108)
But natheles betide what be-tide 750
I sh^ to morwe by £ste or west
Oute of ylB hoste stele by somme maner side
And goo with Troilus whei^ as him leste 753
This purpos wil I holde & p\B ia beste
Ko f ors of wikked tunge^ langellarie
For ener vn Loue han wrechis had envye 756
(109)
FOr who so wil of* Guerj worde take hede [M uo, iMok] 757
Or reule him Aftir eiuerj inghtes witte
Ke shaH he neu^r thriue out of drede
For )»at that somen blamen euer yett 760
Lo other manor folke comaundyn) hitte
And as for me for alle suche variauns
Felicite clepe I my sufficiauns 763
(8)
1 But &om so high and great intent
2 A new lover soon turned her,
6 And in brief space expelled [from her heart]
7 Troilus and Troy.
3 Diomed was employing every arg^ument
4 That he could to enter her heart ;
5 Nor, in its own time, did his expectation mislead him.
(110)
FOr whi(^ wtt^-outeh) any wordes mo
To Troye I will as for conclusion)
But god it wote or fully moneth^ tuoo
She was fuH ferre frome fat entencion)
For bothe Troilus & Troie toun)
Shal knottles oute of hii' herte glide
For she will take p»rpos for to abyde
(111)
THis Diomede of whom telle I gazi)
Goth now witA-Inne him self* aye Arguing
Wtt^ aHe |re sleight & aH pai ener he can)
How he may best wit^ shortest taryeng
In To his nette Cresseides herte bring
To f\a entent he ooude neu0r fyne
To fis^ hir he leide oute hoke & lyne
764
767
770
771
774
777
260
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK jL
OHAUOBBS TS07LU3 AND CR78E7DB. BOOK Y.
260
(10)
1 And he said to himself at fiist view :
2 " A yarn labour, I think, is mine :
3 This lady is sorrowful for love of another.
7 " * Ah me I I went, amiss for myself, to Troy, when I
brought her away !' "
(112)
But natheles wel in his herte he ]K>U3t
That she nas [nat] wtt^uten a loue in Troie
For neu^ sithe he hif fens broujt
Ne coude he sene hii* laugh or make loie
He nyste how beste hir^ herte to accoy
But for to assaie he seide it not ne greuitii
For he ]>at noi^t assaie)> nou^t acheuetb
(113)
T£t seide he to him self vppon) a night
Kow am I nat a fore ])at wote wel how
Hii* woo ia for loue of an other knyght
And hei'-vppoh) to goo & assaie hei' now
I may wel wete it wil nat be my prowe
For )>es folke in bokes it expresse
Men shal nat wowe A wight in henynesse
778
781
78i
785
788
791
5 '' I ought to be too sovereign an artist,
6 If I would expel thence the first,
7 To enter there myself."
(11).
1 But, as being of great daring
2 And of great heart, he resolved in himself,
3 If he had for certain to die from it,
4 Since he had come to this pass, to show her the sharp
assaults
5 Which Love made him feel for her.
(33)
1 He was tall and handsome in person ; young, fresh, and
most pleasing.
3 Strong and bold, as is related ;
4 And had the gift of the tongue as much as any Greek
whatsoever.
(114)
Bvt who so might wynne such A floui^ [iMf in] 793
From him for whom she mometh nijt Ss day
He might sey he wei' A conquerour
And ri3t A-noou) as he pat bolde was ay 795
Though in his herte happen how happyn may
AH shulde I dey I wiH hei' herte seche
I shal no more lese but my speche 798
(116)
THis Diomede as bookea declare 799
Was in his nodes preste & coragious
Wtt^ steme voice & mighty lemmes squar*
Hardy testy stronge chyualrous ^02
Of* Dedes lyke his fader Tideus
And some men seine he was of tunge large
And heii* he was of Calidoigne & Aige 805
261
B000A00IO*S FILOSTRATO, BOOK yI
OHAUiEB'S TROYLUS AND CBYSBYDS, BOOK V. 261
(28)
8 The lucent eyes and angelic face.
(11)
7 Disceming, wise, honourable, and high-bred.^
(116)
CResseide mene was of hii^ stature
Ther-to of shappe of face & eke of chere
Thei' might be none fairei" creature
And ofte tymes ])is was hii' manere
To goo vntressed wit/* hir* here* clere
Doune by hei' coler at hir^ bakke behinde
Which wtt^ a threde of golde she wolde bynde
(117)
ANd saue hei^ browes loyned in fei'
Thei' nas no lakke in ought I can) espien)
But for to speke of yen) clere
Loo truely ]>ei writen) pat hi^ syen)
That paradise stode fourmed in hii' yen)
And wit^ hir* riche beute euer-more
Stroofe loue in hii' ay which of hem was moi*
(118)
SHe sobre was eke simple Ss wise wttA-a&
The best I-nurisshed eke ])at might be
And goodly of hii' speche in generaH
Cheritable estalich lusty fre
Ne neuermore ne lakked hii' pite
Tendre herted slyding of Corage
But timely I can) nat teti hii' Age
806
809
812
813
816
819
820
823
826
* « Acoortay savia, onesta, e oostomata." I have given Kngliah
tquivalenta as nearly as I oan select them ; but not one of them
roalizes exactly and completely the shade of meaning which the
mind catches in the Italian words.
(119)
ANd Troilus wel waxe was on Hight
And complete fourmed by proporcioii)
So wel )>at Kinde it nough a-mende might
yong freisshd stronge & hardye as a lyoun)
Trewe as stele in eche condicioii)
One of )>e best entached creatui'
That is or shal while J)e worlde may dui*
[l««fl01,lMek] 827
830
833
262
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTBATO, BOOK Y^
OHAUQSB'b TBOYLUS and CRTSEYDBf BOOK Y. 268
(9)
1 She had not been there the fonrth day
2 After the bitter departure, when
3 A fair pretext for going to her was found
4 By Diomed, who
5 Found her alone, sighing.
6 He marvelled to find her so altered.
(11)
7 And, taking a seat*
(12)
1 And first he entered upon speaking with her
2 Of the fierce war between them and the Trojans ;
3 Asking her what she thinks about it.
5 Hence he next came down to asking
6 Whether she thought the ways of the Greeks strange.
(120)
ANd certeinly in story as it is f onnde
That Troilus was neuer yn-to no wight
As in his tyme in no degre secounde
In doyng )>at longeth to a knyght
AH might a geaunt passe him of might
His herte ay with the firste Ss yrith fe laste
Stod peregidi to doo what )»it him caste
(121)
But for to teii furth of Diomede
It fille j>at After fe x^ day
Sith ])at Cresseide oute of fe Cite yede
This Diomede as freissh as braunch in may
Come to the Tente |»ere as Calcas lay
And feyned him -with Calcas haue to done
But what he ment I shal you telle sone
(122)
CKesseide at shorte wordes for to telle
Welcomed him Ss doune him by hii' sett
And he was ethe I-nowh to make du^
And after pia wzt^-oute longer lett
The spices Ss ]>e wyne men forth hem fett
And forth ])ei speke of fia & fat in fei^
As frendes done of which some shal ye hex*
(123)
HE gan) first falld on |»e. wen' in spech
Betwixe hem & |»e folke of Troy toun)
And of pQ assege hens gan) hii' eke bysecfi
To tell« him what was hii* opimou)
From) pat demaunde he descended doun)
To Aske hii' yef hiz' strong ]K>u3t
The Grekes guise & worker pat poi wiou:)t
834
837
840
841
844
847
848
8S1
854
855
858
861
263
BOCKUCXnO 8 FILOSTRATOf BOOK Y^
CHAU(teR'S TB0YLV8 AND OBYSBYDE, BOOK V. 263
8 Why Calchas delayed to give her in marriage.
(13)
1 Ghryseisy who still Lad her soul
2 In Troy set upon her dear lover,
5 AnswOTed Diomed.
3 She did not perceive his device.
6 Her speech often pained his heart, yet sometimes encour-
aged him.
1 Who, when he had got on easy terms with her
2 By conversing, began to say :
3 ** Youthful lady, if I have well looked on you.
7 " From the day when we left Troy up till now,
5 That [countenance] I seem to see transformed
6 By painfdl anguish.
(15)
1 ^* Nor know I what the cause can be,
2 If it be not love ; which, if you are wise,
3 You will cast away.
5 ''The Trojans are, as one may say, kept in prison
6 By us, as you see.
(16)
1 ** 19'or imagine that any one who is inside
2 WiU find pity from us for evermore.
(124)
ANd whi hei' fader taried so Longe [laaf losj
To wedde hir to some worthi wi3t
Cresseide that was in hir peynes stronge
For loue of Troilus her ougne knyght
As f erforth as she had konnyng and might
Answerid him tho but as of his entenf
He semyd natt she wist whate he ment*
(126)
But nathelesse pis ilke Diomede
Gas) in him self* assure & ])us he seide
yef I a-right haue taken) of you hede
Me thinketh ]>us O Lady myn) Cresseide
Sitii pat 1 first haue on your brideil leyde
Whan) ye oute of Troye come by Je morwe
Ne coude I neuer se you but in sorwe
(126)
CAnne I nat sey what may pe cause be
But yef for loue of sum Troiane it wei'
The which ri3t soore wolde for-thynke me
That ye for any wight ])at duelled thei'
Shulde spiUe a qt/aiter of* 1 tere
Or pitously so your self be-guile
For dredles it is nat wortfe pe while
(127)
THe f olke of Troie as who seith aH & somme
In prtsoun) bene as ye jour self* se
Neuyr thens shal nat one on lyue come
For alle the golde betwixe sonne & see
Trusteth weH & vnderstandeth me
Thei* nat oone to mercy go on lyue
AH wei' he lorde of worlde^ twyes fyve
862
865
868
869
872
876
876
879
882
883
886
889
264
BOOOACGIO*S FILOSTRATOj BOOK TJ_
chauobr's troylus and crtbeydb, book V. S***
6 '' Either here among the living, or among the dead in hell.
5 '' A most signal example shall be to [any man]
7 The punishment that we will bestow upon Paris.
(17)
1 * Were there twelve Hectors and sixty brothers/
(128)
Such wrech of* hem for fettjng of Eleyne
Thei' shalbe takeii) or we hennes wende
That manes which )>at Goddes bene of peine
Shalbe a-gaste fat Grekes witi hem shend
And men shal drede vnto ]>e worlde^ ende
Erom hensforth to rauissh any quene
So cruett shall oui^ wreche on hem besene
890
893
896
3 " If Calchas with word-juggles^ and delusions
( Does not here hoodwink us.
{ We would triumph over them.
7 " Which will be in brief.
(129)
ANd but Calcas Lede vs by Ambages Ouiiiu, bMk] 897
That is to sey Yfitk double wordes slie
Suche as men clepe A worde vrith tao visages
Ye shal wel knowe that I nat lie 900
And aH ])is thing ri^t se it -with jour ye
And that a-none ye nil nat trowe hou son)
Now taketh hede for it is for to done 903
(18)
1 " And do not suppose that Calchas would have
2 Ke-demanded you with so much urgency,^
3 If he did not foresee that which I say.
4 'I discussed the whole matter with Calchas before he
7 took it upon him to redemand you.
8 He took counsel to get you back here.
(19)
1 * I encouraged his resolve, hearing of your great excel-
lences.
4 And I offered myself as negociator ; which Calchas
accepted, knowing my good faith. The labour was a
8 pleasure to me, for your sake.
* *< Ambage/* Chaucer haa taken the word direct from Boo-
caooio ; and then (not oyer-artistically, it must be admitted) has to
devote two succeeding lines to the explanation of it
' A dififerent line (st. 19, v. 3) corresponds still more closely
with the wording of die one in Chaucer — " And I, hearing him
give Antenor for you."
(130)
WHat wene ye your* wise fader wolde
Haue yeuen) Antenore for you A-non)
Yef he ne wiste ])at ]>o Cite shulde
Destroied be we nay so mote y gone
He knewe fuH wel ]>er shal nat scape one
That Troiane is & for the grete fere
He durste nat ye daelle no longer ]^
904
907
910
S65
BOCM3AOCIO'S FILOSTRATOf BOOK V,
CHAUCBR's TROTLUS and CBrSBYDKf BOOK Y. 265
(20)
1 " Wherefore I would say,^ fair and dear lady,
2 Leave the fallacious love of the Trojans :
3 Chase away this bitter hope.
5 And recall the splendid beauty.
7 For to such a pass is Troy now come
8 That every hope men have there is lost.
(21)
'The Trojans, with their king, and his sons, are mere
barbarians and brutes, compared to the Greeks.'
(22)
1 '* And think not that among the Greeks love
2 Is not, — far higher and more perfect
3 Than among the Trojans.
6 ' Your angelic beauty will easily find here a worthy lover.'
7 " And, were it not to displease you, I will be the man,
8 More gladly than now king of the Greeks."
(23)
1 And, having said this, he turned scarlet
2 Like fire in the face, and his speech
3 Somewhat trembling. He drooped his lids to earth,
4 Turning away his eyes from her a whit
5 But next, with a sudden thought, he became again
6 More prompt than he had been.
a And with rapid
7 Speech he pursued : " Be it to you no annoy,
8 I am as gentle' as any man in Troy.
(131)
WHaf w^l ye more louesom) lady dei*
Let Troie A Troiane from your herte passe
Dryue out ^ bitter hope & make good chei'
And clepe A-yeii) fe beute of your face
That ye with salte Tere^ so deface
For Troie is broujt in such a leopardie
That it to saue is now noo remedie
(132)
ANd pinketK ^t ye shal in Grekes fynde
A more perfite Loue or it be night
Than) any Troiane is & more kynde
And bettir to s^rue you wiii do his mijt
And yef ye vouche saue my Lady bright
I wil be he to Beme you my silf
ye Leuer J>an) fe kyng* of Grece« twelue
(133)
ANd with feX worde he gan) to wex rede
And in his speche A liteH while he quoke
And caste A-side A littel wight his bed
And stynte A while & Afterwarde he wooke
And sobrely on hir^ he caste his Loke
And seide I am all be it you no loy
A Gentil maii) as any wi^t in Troie
911
914
917
918
921
924
925
928
931
1 " Chi vo* dir dunque " — i. e. *• Perohi io voglio dir dunque."
Bat in a cnrsory reading one might naturally suppose the phrase
to stand for **Che vuoi tu dir dunque" — ^What wiU thou then
say— strictly corresponding to Chauoer^s '* What wol ye moore ? "
and it IS obvious that the English poet made this mistake. The
proof that Boocaocio really meant ** voglio," and not " vuoi," lies
TROYLUS. 34
in the tact that Diomed addresses Chryseis, throughout this scene,
in the second person plural — << yon " — instead of the more intimate
" thou." Chryseis (it may be added) responds with '* thou " — not,
evidently, as any unseemly familiarity, but as using the privilege of
a lady to her ''servant."
* " Gentil "—noble, high-bom.
266
BOCOAOOIO'S rnaSTBATO, BOOK T.
OBA0OER'a TSDTLVa ASD CKISXrOS, BOOK T. 266
(24)
1 '* If my father Tydeus had been living,
3 Of Galydon and Argoa I should haye been
4 King, as I intend yet to be.
2 He was slain fighting at Thebes.
(134)
FOr yefi my fader Tidens He seide
I-lyued had I had ben or pis
Of Calidoigne <fe Arge A king Cresseid
And so hope I ])at I shal yet I-wisse
But he was slayne alias ]>e haime Is
Vnhappely at Thebes dft to rathe
Polymites & many a man) to scathe
[iMrios]
932
935
938
(25)
2 "Me
4 Take as your servant."
6 " ' I will be such as your dignity, and the exalted beauty
which I see in you beyond all others, demand ; so that
you also will hold Diomed dear.' Chryseis had
answered few words and timidly; but now counted
his audacity great.
(135)
But herte myn) sithe ))at I am your man)
And bene ])e firste of whom I seke grace
And S6rue you as hertely as I can)
And euer shal while I to lyue haue space
Soo or I departe onte of this place
That ye me graunte ])at I may to morwe
At better leiser telle you my sorwe
(136)
WHat shulde I telle his wordes ^t he seide
He spake ynough for oon day at \^ meste
Hit prmied wel he spake soo )>at Gresseide
Graunted on) ]>e morwe at hia request
For to speke wtt^ him at ^ Leste
So that he nolde speke of sudi matier
And ])us to him she seid as ye may hei'
939
942
945
946
949
952
(26)
7 So much could Troilus yet in her.
6 Looking askance at him displeased,
8 And thus she spoke with subdued voice.
(27)
1 " I love, Diomed, that city
2 In which I grew and was brought up.
(137)
AS she )>at had hii' hert on Troilus
So faste )>at )>ei^ might non it a-race
And straungelie she spake & seide thus
O Diomede I loue )>at ilke place
The}" I was borne & loue for hii> grace
Deliuer it sone of ati ])at doth it Care
God for \\ migHt so leue it wel to fare
953
956
959
J
267
BOCOACCIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK V.
Chaucer's troylus and cbtssyde, book v. 367
(28)
1 ** Well I know that the Greeks are of lofty valour,
2 And well-mannered, as thou sayest :
3 But yet of the Trojans not less is
4 The high virtue.
' "Pemminella."
' Ghauoer emplojrs nearly the same phrase close alterwards —
si 14S, 1. 1.
(29)
1 *' I have not known love since he died
2 To whom loyally I observed it,
3 As to my husband and lord.
4 Neither Greek nor Trojan did I ever heed
5 In that way, nor have I a wish
6 To heed any, nor shall it ever happen to me.
7 That thou art descended of royal blood
8 I fully believe, and have well heard it.
(30)
1 " And this gives me great marvel —
2 That thou canst set on a chit of a woman ^
3 Of slight condition, as I am,
4 ThysouL
5 I am in tribulation,'
6 Nor am I disposed to such an announcement
(138)
THat Grekes wolde heit' wretli on Troie wreke 960
Tef f&t fei mijt it knowe wel y-wisse
But it shall nat befalls as ye spoke
And god to fome & ferther oner )ris 963
I wote my. fadir wise & redy is
And pat he me hath boute as ye me tolde
So dei^ I am 1^ more vnto him beholde 966
(139)
THat Grekes ben of hig^ condicion) [laif ios.bMk] 967
I wote eke wel but certeyn) men) shi^ fynde
As worthi folks wMInne Troie towne
As connyng as p^rfLte & as kynde 970
As bene betweh) Orchades & ynde
And ])at ye coude wel your' Lady s^rue
I trowe it wel hiz' ])anke for to deserue 973
(140)
But As to speke of Loue I-wisse she seide 974
I hadde A Lorde to whom) I wedded was
The woos myn herte AH was vnto he deyd
And o)>er loue as helpe me now Pallas 977
Thei'-Inne myne herte nys ne neu^ was
And ye be of noble and hie kynred
I haue wel herde it tell^ oute of Drede 980
(141)
ANd pat doth me to haue so grete A wondi' 981
That ye wiH scome any woman) soo
Eke god wote Loue & I bene ferre A-sondi'
I disposed am bettei' so mote I goo 984
Vnto my del£ to pleyne & make woo
What I shal after doo can) I nat sey
But truely as yet me luste nat pley 987
268
BO00ACx:;io's fjwstrato, book y.
ohauojbr's tboylus and crysbydb^ book t. 268
(31)
1 '' The time is evil, and ye are in arms.
2 Let the victoiy come which thou expectest,
3 Then I shall know much better what to do.
4 Perhaps delights will please me much more
5 Than now they do —
5 *^ And thou mayst speak to me again ;
6 And peradventuie thy words will be dearer to me
7 Than they are now.
(30)
7 '^ Not for this do I say that I am sorry
8 At being loved by thee, certainly."
(31)
8 '* ' A man mnst look to time and season when he wishetj
to capture any one.'" Diomed augured well from
these last words, and protested himself ever hers.
(32)
8 Nor said he more, and after this he woni
(142)
HTne Herte is now in tribulacion)
And ye in Armes bene besy day be day
Here-aftei' whan) ye haue wonnen Y toun)
Parauenture ]}an) so it happen may
That whan) I see \ai I neu^ say
Than) shal I werch ])at I neu^ wrou^t
rhis worde to you I-nough suffice ought
(143)
TO morwe eke wiH I speke wttA you fayne
So ])at ye touch nat of )}is matier
And whan) ye list ye may come hei' ayeu)
And or ye goon) thus much I sey you hei'
As helpe me Pallas wiih hii' here clere
yif )}at I shulde on any Greke haue roul£
It shulde ben on youi^ self by my trouth
(144)
I Sey nat ])erfoi^ ]}at I wil you Loue Hmtimj
Ne sey nat nay but in conclusion)
I mene wel be god J^at sitte A-boue
And therwit^tt she kiste her* yen doun)
And gan) to sike & seye O troie toun)
Yet prey I god in quiete & in reste
I may ^e see or do my herte breste
(145)
But in effecte & sobrely for to sey
This Diomede al freissh new a-yen)
Cran) prese on) and faste hii' mercy prey
And aftir \\b ])e soth for to seyne
Hii' gloue he toke of which he was ful fayne
And finally whan) it waxe eue
And 1^ was wel he roose & toke his Leue
988
991
994
995
998
1001
1002
1005
1008
1009
1012
1015
269
BOCOAOOIO'S FILOSTBATO, BOOK V.
CHAUCBB'b TROYLUS and CRTSSrDSf BOOK ▼. 269
(33)
1 '* He was tall and handsome in person ; yoong, fresh, and
most pleasing.'*
5 ^'And Mb nature was prone to love. (See p. 260.)
Which things Chryseis, in her sorrows, he being gone,
pondered over — heeitaldng whether to approach or to
flee him. These things made her cool down in the
ardent thought that she had of returning ; these
snapped her upright will towards Troilus, and dragged
back her desire ; and a new hope somewhat dissipated
her fierce torment. And thus it was that, moved by
these causes, she kept not her promise to Troilus."
(U6)
THe br^t Venus folowed & ay taught
The wey ^ei' broode Phebus doun) alight
And Cinthea hii* chare horse ouer raught
To whirle oute of the lyoun) yef she mig^t
And signifer his CanddEt shewed light
Whan) pat Cresseide ynto hir' rest went
WtU^-Inne hir fadres faire bright tent
(147)
KEtoumyng in hir' soule ay yp & doune
The wordes of pis sodein Diomede
His grete estate & penile of fe toune
And pat she was alone & had nede
Of frendes helpe & pus began) to biede
The cause whi pe sothe for to tett
That she toke purpos fully for to duelle
1016
1019
1022
1023
1026
1029
(148)
THe morwe come & gostely for to speke
This Diomede is comen vnto Cresseide
And shortlye lest pot ye my tale breke
So weH for him self he spake Ss seide
p&t att hii' sikes sore a-doun) he leyde
And finally pe sothe for to seyne
He raf te hir' afi the grete of hii' peyne
1030
1033
1036
CliiiflHbMk]
(149)
ANd after pis the story tellith yb
that she him yafe pe fail' bay stede
The which he ones wanne of Troilus
And eke A broche Ss pot was lit^ nede
That Troilus was she yafe Diomede
And eke the bette frome sorwe him to releue
She made him wei' a penseH of hii' sleue
1037
1040
1043
270
BOOOAOOIOB FJWSTRATO, BOOK V.
CHAUOBR's TB0YLU8 AND ORTSBYDS, BOOK V. 270
(150)
I fynde ek in stopes elles whei'
wban) ])urgli ]>e body hurte was Diomede
Troilus ^00 wepte she many A teie
Whan) ^at she saugh his wide wounded blede
And ^at she toke to kepe him good hede
And for to helpe him of his sorwes smerte
Men sey I note she yafe him hei* herte
(151)
But truely pe story tellith vs
Thei' made neu^r woman) more woo
Than) she whan) fat she f alsed Troilus
She seid alias for now is clene a-goo
Any name of trou^ I leue for euer-moo
For I haue falsed one pe gentilleste
That euer was and one ^e worthieste
(162)
Alias on me vn-to ])e worldes ende
Shal neuer be y-wretyn ne y-songe
No goode word for thes booke^r wil me shende
yrolled shat I be on many A tunge
Thurgh-oute ^e worlde my belle shalbe range
And women moste wiH hate me of alle
Alias ])at suche a cas me shulde be-falle
(153)
THei wiH me sey in as much as me Is
1 haue hem done dishonour welawey
Albe I nat fe furste ])at dede A-mysse
What helpeth pat to done my blame a-wey
But sith I se noo bettir wey
And to late it is now for to rewe
To Diomede al gate I wilbe trewe
1044
1047
1060
1051
1054
1057
1058
1061
1064
1065
1068
1071
271
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK ▼.
OHAUCfER'B TBOYLUa AND CBYSXTDB^ BOOK Y. 371
(154)
But Troilus eitli I no bettir may CkiJiaq
And Bithe |»at ^us departen) ye & I
yet prey I god to yene you lig&t good day
As for the gentilleflt truely
That eu6r I sey to s^rue fei^tf ully
And best can) ay his Ladies honour kepe
And with |>at woide she berste anone to wepe
(165)
ANd cert^ you haten) shal I neu^
And frendes Loue ))at shal ye haue of me
And my good wuide al mi^t I lyue euer
And truly I will soiy be
For to se you in adu^rsite
And gilteles I wote wel I yow leue
But 1^ shaH passe & |»us take I my Leue
(166)
But truely hou longe it was betwen)
That she f orsoke him for ]»s Diomede
Thei' IB non auctour telletli it I wene
Take euery man) now of his booka^ hede
He shat no terme finde oute of drede
For ^ough he be-gan) to loue hir' sone
Or he hir wan) yet was pet more to doone
(157)
HE me ne liste ^is sely woman) chide
Furthei' ^an) fe story wiH deuise
Hii' name alias publisshed is so wide
That for hii' gilt it ought I-nough suffise
And yif I might exouser in any wise
For she so soTy was for hii* vntrought
I-wisse I wolde excuser for pite & routli
1072
1075
1078
1079
1082
1085
1086
1089
1092
1093
1096
1099
*..
272
BOCOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATOj BOOK Y.
Chaucer's tbotlus and crysetdk, book y. 272
(1)
1 Troilus, as has been said aboYe,
2 Was passing the time, expecting the appointed day.
' Aa ''he went al/one^^' we must soppose that he picked up
PandaruB on the way.
5 He went alone towards the gate,
6 Talking mnch with Pandams about this : ^
7 And they went on looking towaids the camp.
8 If they could see any one coming to Troy.
(2)
1 And CYeiy one who was seen by them
2 To come towards them, alone or in company,
3 Was supposed to be Chryseis,
4 Until he had neared them so close
5 As to be openly known.
6 And thus they remained till past noon,
7 Often fooled by their credulity.
(3)
1 Troilus said : " Before meal-time
2 She would not now come, as far as I can guess :
3 She will haYe great trouble in getting quit
4 Of her old father — more than she would wish.
8 [She would have come] if she had not stayed to eat
with him."
(158)
THis Troilus as I be-fore haue tolde
Thus driueth forth as weU as he mi^t
But ofte was his herte bote & colde
And namely ])at ilke ix^ night
Which on ^e morwe she hadde him behight
To come A-yeh) god wote fufi liteH reste
Had he ]>at night ne no ^ing to slepe him leste
1100
1103
1106
(159) [lMfl06,bMk]
THe Laurer Laurgerus crouned PhebtM Yfiih hts hete 1107
Grann) in his course ay Ypward as he went
To warme of ^e Est see \% wawes wete
And nisus doughter songe witA freissh entent
Whan) Troilus his Pandai^ after sent
And on ^e walles of ^e towne ))ei pleide
To loke yif J^ei can) se ought of Creeseide
(160)
Tytt it was none ])ei stoden) for to se
Who ^at )^ come & euery man^r wight
That come frome fen> )>ei seide ^i it was she
TiH ])at ])ei coude knowe hem A-right
Now was his herte dulle now was it light
And thus be-iaped stonden for to stare
A-boute nou^t ])is Troilus & Pandai'
(161)
TO PandartM ^is Troilus seide
For ought I wote be-fore none sikerly
In-to ^is towne ne comth nat hii' Cresseide
She hath ynough to do hardelye
To Wynne from hii* fader so trowe I
Hii' olde fader wil yet make hii' dyne
Or that she goo god yeue his herte pyne
1110
1113
1114
1117
1120
1121
1124
1127
273
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK V.
CHAUGSR's TR0YLU8 AND CR7SE7DK, BOOK V. 273
(*)
1 Pandaros said : " I think thou speakest the truth.
2 So let us go, and then we will return."
3 Troilus consented, and so. in fine they did.
5 They returned : but their surmise deceived them,
6 As it turned out, and they found it in vain.
(5)
1 Troilus said : " Perhaps
2 Her father will have prevented her, and will want her
to stay
3 Up to the twilight, and therefore her return
4 Will he late. Kow let us stay outside,
5 So that she may have her entry expedited ;
6 For often these wardours
7 Are wont to keep in talk those who come,
8 Without making a distinction of befitting persons.'*
(6)
1 Twilight came, and then came evening.
(7)
1 YHierefore he turned to Pandarus, saying :
2 ^' This lady will have acted wisely.
4 She will be minded to come covertly :
5 Therefore she awaits the night, and I commend her for it.
6 She doesn't want to make people wonder.
(8)
1 '* Therefore do not mind waiting,
2 My Pandarus.
TBOTLUB. S6
(162)
P Andai^ answerde it may welbe certeyn)
And foT-\n. lete vs dyne I the beseche
And at after none ])an) maist pon come a-yen
And home pei gone wtt^ute more speche
And comen A-yen but longe mough f^ seche
Or pat ])ei ffynden fat fei after gape
Fortune hem thinketh bothe for to lape
•
(163)
Quod Troilus I see wel now pat she
Is taried with hv^ olde fader soo
That or she come it wil ner euyn be
Come furtb I wiU vn-to the yate goo
Thes Porters bene vnconnyng euermoo
And I wil doo hem holde vp pe yate
As nought ne wei^ al-])oagh she come late
1128
1131
1134
1135
1138
1141
(164)
THe day goth faste & Aftir ^at comth eue
And yet comth nat to Troilus Cresseide
He loked forth by hegge^ by tre by greue
And fen* his hed ouer pe waH he leyde
And at the laste he turned him & seide
By god I wote hii* menyng now Pandai*
Att-moste I-wisse aH new was my care
(165)
HOw doughtles this Lady can) hii' good
I wote she menytb to ride preuyly
I comende hir* witte be myn hoode
She nil nat make pe people nicely
Graure on hii* whan) she comth but soflely
By night in to )»e town she thinketh lide
And dere brother thenke nat longe to Abide
[iMfiMj 1142
1145
1148
1149
1152
1155
274
BOCCAOCIOS FILOSTRATO, BOOK Y.
OHAUORR*S TBOTLUS AND OMYSEYDBf BOOK T. 274
3 " We have now nothing else to do.
5 And, if I err not, I think I see her !
6 Pray look down ! Oh dost thou see what I do 1"
7 ** No," said Pandarus, " if well I unbar my eyeft,
8 " What thou showest me seems to me a cart."
(9)
1 "Alas ! thou say'st true," said Troilns.
2 The sun had now set, and some stars were perceptible.
6 ** There comforts me
7 In my desire I know not what sweet thought.
8 " Hold for certain that now she is to come."
(10)
1 Pandarus
6 Made a show
7 Of belieying him.
1 To himself, but undeivbreath,
2 He laughed at what Troilus said.
7 And he said: "From-^tna
8 The poor fellow expects a wind."
6 " But Troilus made them delay more than two hours."
1 The wardours
2 Were making a great noise on the gate,
3 Calling withinside citizens and strangers.
5 Also all the coimtry-people with their beasts,
4 Whoever did not want to remain outside.
7 At last, the sky being all starry,
8 He returned inside with Pandarus —
(166)
W£ haue nat ellis to doo I-wisse 1156
And Pandan^ wifi )»ou trowe me
Haue hei^ my trouth y see hii^ yonde she is
Heue vp fine yen) man maiste fou nat see 1169
Pandai^ answerd nay so mote I the
AH wrong be god what seest pon man) whei' art
That I se yonde nys but A soory carte 1162
(167)
Alias fou seyest futt sothe quod Troilus 1163
But hardely fis nys nat for nought
That in myn herte I now reioyse f us
It is A-yen) somme good I haue a fought 1166
Knowe I nat howe but sithe fat I was wroujt
Ne felte I such A comforto sothe to seyne
She comth to night my lif durste I leyne 1169
(168)
Pandare answerd it may wel be I-nougb 1170
And helde with him of aH fat ewer he seide
But in his herto he f 0U3t Ss sofbe Lough
And to him self* ful sobrely he seide 1173
From) hasiH woode fer* looly robyn) pleyde
Shat come al fat f ou abidest here
Ye farwel att the snowe off" feuerer 1176
(169)
THe wardeine of the yates gaane to oalle ciottnoe^iNiA] 1177
The folke f e which fat wit^uto fe yate^ wer'
And bad hem dryue in hei* bested all
Or att fe night fei muste belene thei' 1180
And fen' wt't^-inne f e night wtt^ many a ter'
This Troilus gan) homeward for to ride
For wel he seeth it helpeth nat to a-byde 1183
275
bocoaooio'b filostrato, book t.
Chaucer's troylus and cbyseydb, book ▼. 275
(12)
7 Saying : " We are fools
8 For having expected her to-day.
(13)
1 '* She told me she would stay ten days
2 With her father, without staying there the least longer,
3 And then would return to Troy.
5 '' Therefore she ought to he coming to-monow.
(U)
1 ** To-morrow morning hetimes we must return,
2 Pandarus.'' And so they did :
3 But little availed the looking upward and downward.
7 It being already night, they returned within :
8 But this to Troilus was too too bitter.
(15)
1 And the glad hope he had had
2 Almost had no longer what to fasten on :
3 Whereof he much condoled with himself,
4 And began strongly to murmur
5 Both at her and at Love ; nor did it seem to him
6 That for any cause she ought so much to delay
7 To come back — ^having promised to him
8 Her return, on her faith.
(16)
1 But the third, and the fourth, and the fifth, and the
sixth day,
2 After the tenth day already past,
3 Hoping and not hoping for her return,
4 Was expected with sighs by Troihis.
7 And all in vain — she still returned not
(170)
But natheles he gladeth him in this
He ^ou^t amys he compted had his day
And seide I vnderstande I haue aH a-mysse
For thilke night I laste Cresseid say
She seide I shali be hei' yef J^at I may
Or p&t pe mone O del' herte swete
The Lioun) passe oute of his Ariote
(171)
FOr which she may yett holde at hii^ behest
And on pe morwe vn-to ^e yate he went
And vp & doun) by weste & eke by Est
Vppon fe walles made he many A went
But al for nou^t his hope alwey him blent
For which at night In sorwe & sikee sore
He went him home mthouten any mooi*
(172)
His Hope al clene oute of his herte fledde
He ne hath whei'on) lenger for to honge
But for ^e peyne him ]70U)t his herte bledde
So wei^ his throwes sharpe and wonder strong*
For whan) he saugh ^at she abode so long*
He nist what he ymagin of hit might
Sithe she hath broken pat she him behight
(173)
THe thrdde fourth v*"' & pe sexte day
After the x dayes of which I tolde
Betwixe hope & drede his herte Lay
Tet somewhat trusting on hii^ heste^ olde
But whan) he say she nolde hii^ term) holde
He canne nat se non o])er remedie
But for to shape him sone for to dye
1184
1187
1190
1191
1194
1197
1198
1201
1204
1205
1208
1211
276
Boccaccio's filostrato, book ▼.
chauo&r's tbotlus and crysbydm, book y. 276
(18)
3 And the feU
4 Spirit of Jealousy — ^heavy affliction • . •
(19)
1 He scarcely ate or drank.
7 And every feast and every company
8 In like wise he shunned to his utmost.
(20)
1 And he had become such in his semblance —
2 ''He looked more like a wild beast than a man."
3 Nor would any one have recognized him,
4 So pallid and wobegone was his aspect :
5 All vigour had abandoned his body.
* In Boocacoio, it is Priam only who does this — the line about
the brothers and sisters being taken (as the reader sees) from a
later stanza.
1 Priam,
(21)
(22)
2 Paris, and his other brothers and sisters,
(21)
2 Sometimes called him in,^
3 Saying : "My boy, what dost thou feell
4 What thing is it that so weighs thee down ? "
(22)
1 " Hector said the like to him.
5 To all of whom he said that at his heart
6 He felt pains.
7 But he never explained what the pains were.
(23)
1 Troilus had one day, all melancholy
2 For the broken faith, disposed himself to sleep.
5 It appeared to him that, within a shadowy wood,
3 In dream he saw the perilous
4 Misdeed of her who made him languish.
7 He seemed
8 To see a great >viId-boar that ranged.
(174)
THei'wttA the wikked 8piri3te ])ei^god vs blisse o^twr} 1212
Which ))at men clepe woode lelousie
Ganne in him crepe in ali his heuynesse
For whiche cause he wolde sone dye 1215
He ne Ete ne Dranke for his malencolie
And eke from euerj companie he fiedde
This was ^e lif ])at al ^e tyme he ledde 1218
(175)
E[£ so defete was ])at no maner man
Vnneth him mi^t knowe fer^ he went
So was he Lene & j^erto pale & wanne
And feble ])at he walked by A potent
And 'With his Ire he pus him-self* shent
But who-so axed him whei' him smerte
He seide his harme was »& aboute his h^rte
(176)
FKiam ful ofte & eke his moder dei'
His Bretheryii) & his susters gaii) him freyn)
Whi sorwefut He was alt in his chei*^
And what ])ing was pe cause of his peyii)
But al for nought he nolde his cause pleyn)
But seide he felte a greuous malady
A-boute his herte & fayii) wolde he die
(177)
80 on A day he leide him doun) to slepe
And so be-feti pat in his slepe he thought
That in A forest faste he walked to wepe
For Loue of hir* pat him j>is peine wrou^t
And vp Sz douri) as he J?e foreste sought
Him mett he say a boore with twskes grete"
That slepte a-yen) fe brijt sonnes hete
1219
1222
1225
1226
1229
1232
1233
1236
1239
277
BOOOAGCIO B FIWSTRATO, BOOK V.
chauobr's tmoylus and csvsetdk, book V. 277
(24)
1 And then afterwards he seemed to see
2 Beneath his [the boa'rs] feet Chryseis, from whom
3 He with his claws tore the heart.
4 Chryseis did not seem distressed at it^ but rather to
enjoy it.
7 Which was so fierce a rage to him
8 That this broke his feeble slumber.
(25)
1 On waking up, he thought he clearly saw the meaning
of the dream.
5 And quickly he had called to him
6 Pandarus ; who being come to him,
7 Weeping he began : " My Pandarus,
8 My Ufe pleases God no longer.^
(178)
ANd by Jris Boor' faste in Armes folde
Lay kissing ay his Lady bri3t Cresseide
For sorwe of which whan) he ])at can) beholde
And for despite oute of his slepe he breide
And Loude he crie^l on Pandarus & seide
PandartM now knowe I croppe & roote
1 name but dede ther is non other boote
1240
1243
1246
(26)
1 " Thy Chryseis, alas ! has deceived me,
2 In whom I trusted more than in woman else :
3 She has given her love to another.
5 The gods have shown it to me in dream."
6 And hereupon he narrated all his dream to him.
(27)
4 ' The crest of Diomed and his family is the boar.
(28)
1 ' Diomed is now accepted by her : he alone is the cause
of her not returning.
(179)
My Lady bright Cresseide hath me troied Daaf m.taflki 1247
In whom I trusted moste of* any wight
She elle^whei' hath now hii' heste a-paied
The blisfuH goddes ])urgh hei' grete mi^t 1250
Haue in my dreme y-shewed it futt rijt
Thus in my dreme Cresseide haue I beholde
And aH ])is ])ing to Pandan^ he tolde 1263
(29)
1 " Alas me ! Chryseis, what subtle wit,
2 What new delight, what alluring beauty,
3 What grudge against me^ what just indignation,
4 What misdeed of mine, what dire strangeness,^
6 Have been able to draw thy lofty soul to another object ?
6 Alas me, firmness 1
7 Alas promise ! alas faith and loyalty,
8 Who has cast ye out of my beloved 1
' i. e. God clearly wills that I should die.
* *' Qual flera stranezza." I understand Troilus to mean " What
strange or outrageous conduct on my part" Chaucer's ** fel expe-
rience" is a vaguer expression, but perhaps intended in the same
sense, substantially.
(180)
my Cresseid alias what subtilte
What newe liste what bewte what sciens
What wrath of iuste cause haue ye to me
What gilte of me what feli experiens
Hal£ from) me refte alias jour advertens
O truste feight depe assurauns
Who hath me rafte Cresseid my plesat/ns
1254
1257
1260
278
BOOOAOOIO'S FILOSTRATO, BOOK T.
OHAUOBB's TS07LU3 AND CRYSBYDE, BOOK T. 278
(30)
1 " Alas 1 why did I ever let thee go ?
2 'Why did not I caity Chiyseis off) Then she would not
8 be false, nor I miserable/
(31)
1 " I believed thee, and hoped for certain
2 That thy faith was sacred, and that thy words
3 Were a truth most sure and overt,
4 More than to the quick the light of the sun :
5 But thou spokest ambiguously and covertly.
(32)
1 " What shall I do, Pandarus 1 I feel a fire
2 lit anew fiercely in my mind,
3 So that I find no space within my thought.
4 I will with my hands take death,
5 For to stay longer in such a life were no pastime.
6 Since Fortune to so wretched a fate
7 Has brought me, to die will be a delight,
8 Whereas living would be pain and despite.''
(33)
Troilus seized a knife, and would have pierced his breast,
had not Pandarus arrested his hand. Troilus implored
his friend to loose him, and not baulk him of his pur-
pose ; then threatened to wound Pandarus first, and
next kill himself. Pandarus would have been unable
to resist his frantic efforts, had not Troilus been greatly
reduced in strength. At last he succeeded in disarming
him, and made him sit down.
(37)
1 [Pandarus], after bitter weeping, towards him
2 Turned pitiful, with these words.
3 ' I always thought your friendship for me was so perfect
that, had I bidden you to do so, you would have slain
yourself : yet now you will not live at my beseeching 1
You seem to have conceived the idea that Chryseis is
in love with Diomed ; for no other reason than your
dream.
(40)
1 " I have told thee erewhile that folly
2 It was to look too much into dreams.
8 There has been none, nor is, nor ever will be,
4 Who can for certain well interpret
6 What, when a man sleeps, fantasy
6 Can show forth with various forms.
1 " Wert thou to find it true that thou for another
2 Hast been abandoned by Chryseis,
3 Thou oughtst not
(181)
Alias whi lett y you fro me hens goo
For which wiH nye oute of my witte I breide
Who shat now truste on any othes moo
God wote I wend Lady bri^t Cresseide
That eue?*y word was gospeH fat ye seide
But who may bettir begile A maii) yif him list
J>an) he on whome men wene best trist
(182)
WHat shal I doo my Pandan^^ alias
I fele now so sharpe a new peyne
Sithe that per' lieth no remedie in y* case
That bettir wei^ it I vriih my handed tweyne
My self sloo alwey fan) f us to pleyne
For thurgh ^ ^^^^ ^7 ^^^ shulde haue an ende
Thei"^ eu-e?y day vriHi liff my self I shende
1261
1264
1267
1268
1271
1274
(183)
Fandar' answerd & seid alias fe while
That I was borne haue I nat seid or fis
That dremes many a maner man be-guile
And whi for folks expoune hem A-mysse
How darste fou sey fat false fi Lady is
For any dreme right for fine ougne dre^
Let be f is fought f ou canst no dremes rede
1275
1278
1281
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